The management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc (PHED) seems to have secured the confidence and support of critical stakeholders across its operational zone.
The Disco got that by engaging with critical stakeholders in the industry to explore prospects for continuous improvement in service delivery.
These stakeholder meetings were held at the company’s headquarters led by the MD/CEO, Dr. Benson Uwheru, and in the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex chaired by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaehwule.
According to a statement from the Disco, signed by Olubokola Ilevbare, Head, Corporate Communication, during the engagement with the Group Chief Executive Officer/President of Transcorp, Dr. (Mrs.) Owen Omogiafo, and her team, at the PHED headquarters in Port Harcourt, Dr. Omogiafo expressed her Group’s readiness to embrace strategic partnership that would enhance mutual beneficial relationships to all parties.
The GCEO/P who was accompanied by the MD Trans Afam, Engr. Vincent Ozoude and others remarked that it was her maiden visit to a Distribution Company in Nigeria. She spoke on a broad spectrum regarding the visit and said she was excited at the balance in gender mix of the PHED leadership Team.
The MD/CEO, Dr. Uwheru, welcomed the idea of the partnership, stating that this collaboration will undoubtedly yield positive outcomes for all stakeholders, especially in improved service delivery to esteemed customers.
Angela Ajere, the Head of Customer Services PHED, who responded on behalf of the team described Dr. Owen as a role model that inspires rising women in Corporate Nigeria.
In another related development, the Speaker of the 10th Legislative Assembly in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Chike Amaehwule, said that the House was committed to partnering PHED on electricity issues, acknowledging that power supply has improved in the state.
The Speaker thanked Dr. Uwheru for his empathy in granting a concession for a discount on the outstanding bill owed by the Assembly Complex which falls under MDA’s and promised to institute a legacy of non-indebtedness under his leadership in the House. Dr. Benson assured the Rt. Hon Speaker and other legislative members that all hands are on deck to sustain the current improvement in supply in the state. The MD/CEO went further to disclose that a power sector technical working group has been inaugurated to bridge power supply gaps and requested that the House should delegate representatives to be part of the House should delegate representatives to be part of the committee.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Government has commended PHED for what it described as significant improvement in power supply through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Valerie Obuh. The Permanent Secretary who conveyed the commendation message in person to the MD/CEO at the Corporate Headquarters, openly stated that the MD/CEO and his leadership team have made remarkable progress keeping the lights on in her state. She admitted that this has been a thankless feat, especially considering the constraints in the sector.
She encouraged PHED to continue in that direction while chipping in that there is room for improvement as time goes on. In his response, the MD/CEO appreciated her comments and disclosed that the laudable state of supply in Akwa Ibom is premised on capital investments in infrastructures like the restoration of a 7.5MVA in Itam to boost supply and the rehabilitation of numerous Transformers in Ikot Ekpene. She concluded that the State would be willing to work with PHED based on improved performance in light of the new dynamics in the market.
Dr. Benson affirmed that the company would continue to collaborate with Government of Akwa Ibom State on improved service delivery in the state.
