Perspective
Tinuade Sanda
After I assumed the position of MD/CEO at Eko Electrical energy Distribution Firm (EKEDC) in 2022, I confronted vital hurdles, together with ATC&C losses at 29.87% and CE at 82.69%. With my group’s assist and dedication, we started addressing these challenges, striving for operational enhancements. Over time, we made notable progress, lowering ATC&C losses to 1% and bettering CE to 99.25% by March 2024.
Equally, EKEDC achieved its highest-ever month-to-month assortment of N17.1 billion in January 2024, highlighting our monetary acumen and strategic imaginative and prescient. It’s noteworthy that these achievements have been recorded with out the necessity for a tariff improve. Our give attention to operational effectivity led to the lowest-ever vitality leakage blocked (ATC&C) losses, highlighting our dedication to excellence. On this time, we additionally launched the fast-delivery mass metering programme (Cellular MAP Initiative) below 72 hours, ensuing within the supply of over 80,832 meters. This additional demonstrates our dedication to enhancing our customer support and satisfaction.
Upon assuming workplace, I inherited substantial loans and over N3.6billion owed distributors for items and providers already rendered. This exacerbated the corporate’s liquidity challenges, however I took on the accountability to deal with these money owed. They included a CBN Meter mortgage amounting to N4,693,706,837.72, a CBN working expenditure (OPEX) Ramp Up Mortgage totaling N29,525,442,959.40, and a CBN capital expenditure (CAPEX) mortgage of N14,487,447,715, all of which have been initially meant for capital initiatives that have been later deserted. Though a lot of the mortgage disbursed had little financial worth to EKEDC, I urged my group to remain targeted and resilient, as we oversaw the reimbursement of those loans, taking decisive steps to alleviate the monetary pressure on the corporate.
Regardless of the challenges I encountered, one among my first impactful choices was to boost employees salaries by 25%. This was a big transfer because it was the primary improve of this magnitude in over a decade at Eko Electrical energy Distribution Firm (EKEDC). This motion was taken whereas we saved operational bills in test and expanded our fleet by 150 new autos, enhancing our capability to answer service calls extra effectively.
To attain my imaginative and prescient of a singular company identification grounded in native context, I designed a complete engagement technique that mirrored my dedication to company management and stakeholder development. This concerned restructuring buyer and group interactions, establishing a 24/7 speedy response squad to expedite fault decision, implementing methods to enhance model positioning and repair supply, and creating inclusive, impactful, and sustainable Company Social Duty programmes. These initiatives have been a part of our innovation-driven strategy, that led to distinctive outcomes and a surge of actions targeted on fostering optimistic change.
Moreover, Eko Electrical energy Distribution Firm (EKEDC) achieved ISO 27001 certification, highlighting our dedication to information safety and safety. Our partnership with VI Energy enabled us to spice up energy provide to prospects on the Island, demonstrating our dedication to buyer satisfaction. Our strategic investments in infrastructure, together with the acquisition of Statistical Meters to watch all present feeders, have considerably lowered losses and enhanced operational effectivity. This strategy translated right into a 99.2% criticism decision price year-to-date in 2024.
I got here to EKEDC with a transparent give attention to zero tolerance for mediocrity and corruption, emphasising the pursuit of excellence that has formed my management fashion. To align everybody with our imaginative and prescient, I prioritised efficient communication amongst all stakeholders. This dedication led to EKEDC rating 1st in market remittance for Q3, 2023, a notable rise from third place within the earlier quarter.
My achievements have been acknowledged with a number of prestigious awards, together with The Peak Performer CEO Of the Yr (2023) and Vanguard’s Vitality Icon of the Yr, (2023). Moreover, the Nigeria Home of Dream Parliament acknowledged me as essentially the most proactive feminine persona within the energy sector of Nigeria (2023). Moreover, and most prestigiously, I served as a member of the ability committee arrange by the Presidency, below the RENEWED HOPE AGENDA of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Equally, earlier than my appointment as MD EKEDC, I’ve been honoured with quite a few prestigious awards, which spotlight my dedication to excellence, accountability, and innovation within the energy sector. Some notable recognitions embrace the USAID Certificates of Achievement for my ongoing partnership with the USAID Engendering Industries Intensive Program since 2015, the NECA Employers Excellence Award Winner within the Electrical energy Distribution Sector for 2021, the AFRISAFE CEO Of the Yr in 2022, and the African Prize for Management Excellence: Energy Persona Management Prize in 2017. I additionally obtained the Eko Electrical energy Distribution Firm MD/CEO Govt Award in 2018 for “being on time each time.” Most lately, I used to be awarded the Distribution Firm (Disco) of the Yr 2023 by the Vitality Instances.
Whereas rumours have been circulating, alleging that my appointment as MD/CEO had been terminated as a consequence of poor efficiency, I need to make clear that it is a misrepresentation and never the correct suggestions on our efficiency. In truth, I’ve persistently obtained accolades from the board, recognizing my management and my administration group’s robust efficiency.
For example, on March 6, 2024, I obtained commendations from the Chairman, Human Sources & Company Providers, Tunji Owolafe, following my correspondence about EKEDC’s compliance with market obligations, the place he praised the efficiency of my group. He wrote in an e-mail, “Expensive MD, this is excellent information, congratulations and nicely finished to you and your group.” I had beforehand obtained comparable accolades from Dr. Tunji Owolafe and the Board Chairman, Dere Otubu, on December fifth and sixth, 2023, for our robust November efficiency He wrote, “Congratulations to you and your group for the great efficiency in November”. These emails can be found as proof of the optimistic suggestions I’ve obtained.
What began as an investigation to deal with fraud and complicity in ghost employee actions by three of our govt administration group has now escalated into cyberbullying and slanderous assaults towards my individual. Reasonably than addressing the precise difficulty, there may be an effort to distract by spreading unfounded rumours. I imagine that moral journalism needs to be primarily based on the ideas of fact, objectivity, and equity, slightly than fallacies which can be solely primarily based on rumours and propaganda. Therefore, a must make clear this example and counter all false claims towards me.
I need to state that I’ve served diligently and effectively at EKEDC with the utmost integrity and labored to sanitize the system for optimum productiveness and high quality service supply. I’ve additionally labored to boost the belongings and internet price of our stakeholders with transparency, integrity, and equity, and persistently acted in the most effective pursuits of EKEDC and all its stakeholders.
I stay dedicated to upholding the values which have guided my management. I thank everybody who has supported me all through this journey, and I sit up for persevering with to serve with the identical dedication and professionalism that has outlined my profession.
•Dr. Sanda is the fast previous CEO of Eko Electrical energy Distribution Firm.