The Board of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has promised to implement much-needed changes in the country’s electricity system to enhance availability, reliability, quality, and supply for Nigerians.
The Managing Director of the newly inaugurated Board, Engineer Abdullahi Mohammed Bello, made the promise at the Board’s induction ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall, State House, Aso Rock Presidential Villa, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Bello, while assuring that the Board would hit the ground running, said that the NISO management would engage with key stakeholders in the Nigerian power industry to deliver on its mandate to electricity consumers.
“We understand the challenges in the industry and we’re going to tackle them pragmatically and systematically. You recall the passage of the bill that enacted the Electricity Act 2003, as amended, and the provisions therein for the creation of the Nigerian Independent System Operator.
“So, going by the law, the NISO has been inaugurated today by His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima. We have been inaugurated this afternoon and we have assumed the job role as described by the Electricity Act 2023. Our major role in the power industry is to bring the needed changes in the system that will enhance availability, reliability, and quality of supply of electricity to Nigerians.
“In addition to that, we are supposed to create an environment of transparency, discipline and orderliness in electricity business in Nigeria meaning that participants in generation, transmission, distribution and eligible customers behave in a passionate manner in line with the provisions of the market rules and the grid code.
“The coming on board of the NISO Board of Management will usher these qualities that are required to make the power sector thick, just like other power sectors in bigger jurisdictions. Now it’s a journey. It’s not a one-off business. The beginning of the journey starts today.
“We begin today and we are going to hit the ground running. We’re going to Osogbo, the National Control Center, to make sure that our operators are aligned to our vision, mission, objectives and goals as enshrined in the Electricity Act 2023.
“Furthermore, we’re going to have interfaces with Generation Companies (GenCos) with the Transmission Service Provider (TSP), with the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and eligible customers. Those interfaces must be coordinated well, managed well, to make sure that the generation of electricity, transmission of electricity, distribution, and utilization of electricity is in line with the rules and is in favor of the numerous Nigerian customers.
“I would like to use this opportunity to first and foremost thank Mr. President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR for the trust he has in us, in our ability to change the course of this electricity industry. I would also want to thank the Vice President and the Chairman of the National Council on Privatization (NCP), Kashim Shettima, for going through the rigorous of the recruitment exercise.
“They championed this exercise to the point that over a hundred candidates applied for the post of Managing Director of NISO through scrutiny, transparency, ruggedness, firmness, focus, were able to reach this level today, and thank God I have been selected the Managing Director of NISO and inaugurated today. It’s an upheaval task.
“We understand the challenges in the industry and we’re going to tackle them pragmatically and systematically. We’re going to deal with these problems. Like I said, it’s a journey, we’re starting from somewhere, and gradually, definitely with speed and quality, we shall be there to make sure that Nigerians enjoy a steady, reliable electricity supply in the nearest period.”
ALSO READ: CUPP condemns appointment of 23 LG administrators in Rivers
Tribune Online recalls that the approval for the constitution of the Board was granted by President Bola Tinubu about three weeks ago, with the appointment of executive and non-executive board members.
The President announced the appointment of Dr Adesegun Olugbade as the Board Chairman and Engineer Mohammed Bello as Managing Director.
The four Executive Directors are Engineer Nafisatu Asabe Ali (Systems Operation), Engineer Shehu Abba-Aliyu (Systems Planning), Dr Edmund Eje (Market Operations), and Mr Babajide Ibironke (Finance and Corporate Services).
The Non-Executive Directors are Engineer Lamu Audu, representing Generation; Mrs Folake Soetan, for Distribution; Mr Tajudeen Giwa-Osagie, as Market Expert; Engineer Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, for Transmission; and Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
