In a startling development within the corridors of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), the Board has taken decisive action by removing Dr. Tinuade Sanda from her esteemed position as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO).
This decision, as disclosed in a missive signed by the company’s Chairman, Dere Otubu, and exclusively obtained by Nairametrics, has sent shockwaves through the industry. The communiqué cited a directive from the regulatory body, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), as the impetus behind this shake-up.
The missive, in unambiguous terms, elucidated that the directive from NERC mandated all personnel engaged in the utility sector to be directly employed by the respective utility companies. Moreover, they must adhere to the pertinent service conditions and receive remuneration via the utility’s payroll.
As per the Electricity Act of 2023, Eko DisCo stands duty-bound to comply with the directives handed down by NERC. Consequently, all staff seconded from WPG Ltd, the core investor in Eko DisCo, are being repatriated to their parent company, in adherence to the regulatory edict.
The communiqué read, “Accordingly, you are hereby relieved of your role, office, and position at Eko Electricity Distribution Plc effectively immediately, and returned to your employer, WPG Ltd.”
A copy of NERC’s correspondence entitled ‘Alleged Ghost Workers In Eko Electricity Distribution Company – Call For Investigation’. This document underscored NERC’s stance, directing EKEDC to ensure the withdrawal of all WPG secondees involved in the purported revenue loss debacle, underscoring the imperative nature of removing all WPG staff seconded to Eko DisCo.
Notably, this directive has not solely affected Dr. Tinuade Sanda but has cast its net wide, ensnaring other executives within Eko DisCo who were also seconded from WPG.
Behind the curtains, however, whispers of internal management clashes loom large, suggesting a deeper undercurrent of leadership strife within the company.