Kaduna Electric Board Commits To Building Resilient Workforce

The chairperson, Special Board of Kaduna Electric, Rahila Thomas has reiterated the commitment of the Board to build a highly motivated and result oriented workforce for the company.

Mrs Thomas made the assertion when she led the new Board members on their maiden duty tour of formations of Kaduna Electric and engagement with the staff in Kaduna yesterday.

Recall that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had removed all the directors of the company effective January 1, 2024 over its inability to pay the debt of over N110 billion owed to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) and other market operators.

The regulator went on to constitute a new board and management and named Mrs Rahila Thomas as chairperson, while Dr Umar Abubakar Hashidu was appointed as the administrator and chief executive officer,  further to section 75 of the EA,” the commission said.

The chairperson Mrs Thomas, yesterday, said that with the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023, the regulatory landscape of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory has shifted, which calls for more concerted efforts to reverse the performance trajectory of the Company.

According to her, “the intervention we are witnessing today is not merely a change in leadership but a response to the pressing issues that have affected the very core of Kaduna Electric operations. It is essential to be transparent about the reasons behind this regulatory intervention, the first under the new Electricity Act 2023, so you understand the urgency and necessity of the task ahead of all of us”.

“We want to use this opportunity to assure all staff that your opinions and views matter in setting the pathway to a new Kaduna Electric. We are committed to fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration to build a resilient and sustainable workforce. We will look into the current staff welfare structure and develop performance driven incentives”.

She also expressed the Board’s appreciation to the staff for the efforts made so far in keeping “the lights on despite all the challenges” and pledged the Board’s determination to ensure a more workers’ friendly environment in the Company.

She called on the staff to brace-up as the challenges of the current dispensation are high and demand more innovative solutions and collaboration for sustainable transformation of the Company

Other Board members in the entourage are Malam Sharfuddeen Mahmoud, Dr. Kabiru Adamu and Engr. Ayodele John.

Earlier in his welcome address, the MD/CEO,  Dr. Umar Hashidu restated his resolve to put staff welfare on the front burner in order to keep motivation levels high to guarantee improved performance.