NDPHC Poised to Supply Power Directly as Kano Manufacturers Push to Bypass DisCos
The struggle for reliable electricity in Kano’s industrial hub is pushing manufacturers to seek direct supply from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), a shift that could reshape Nigeria’s electricity market.
Leaders of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kano branch, met with NDPHC’s management in Abuja, requesting inclusion in the Eligible Customer Programme.
The initiative, provided for by Nigeria’s electricity regulations, allows bulk users to buy power directly from generation companies rather than relying solely on distribution companies.
Ali Madugu, Managing Director of Dala Foods and head of the delegation, told NDPHC that industries in Kano were being stifled by poor service from utility companies.
“Our members have both the capacity and the willingness to procure power directly from NDPHC. Access to reliable electricity is critical for reviving industries and sustaining jobs in Kano State,” he said.
Responding, NDPHC’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Adighije, affirmed that the company was ready to explore such partnerships.
“We are committed to partnering with the manufacturing sector to drive industrial growth, create jobs, and enhance socio-economic development. Within the provisions of the eligible customer framework, we are ready to work with MAN in Kano to make this happen,” she said.
She noted that the revival of plants such as Omotosho and Alaoji, along with improved generation availability, had put NDPHC in a position to serve fresh industrial demand.
Other senior executives of the company, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Bello Babayo Bello, laid out the technical and commercial processes required to deliver supplies to MAN members.
The discussion also highlighted a broader policy debate: NDPHC has over 2,000 megawatts in its portfolio, with approximately 200 megawatts currently stranded because of low uptake by distribution companies.
Adighije recently lamented the “abysmally low uptake of electricity” in the market, warning that it was constraining the company’s operations.
With manufacturers now pressing for direct purchases, observers say the Eligible Customer Programme could become a turning point in Nigeria’s electricity sector, both in easing bottlenecks for industries and in testing reforms that bypass traditional distribution channels.
Punch
