Reps Panel Commends Calabar Power Plant on Safety, Calls for Better Staff Welfare

The House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations has commended the management of the 565MW Calabar Power Plant for significant improvements in health, safety, and compliance since its last inspection in 2018.

The commendation came during an on-the-spot assessment of the facility, led by Committee Chairman Hon. David Zacharias, who said the visit was aimed at ensuring Nigerians work in safe environments and enjoy long, healthy lives.

“We always appreciate it when we step into any organisation and see that they have done very well. My impression here is positive, and you also heard the same from my honourable colleagues,” Zacharias said.

While praising the plant’s safety record, the committee also highlighted areas needing attention, including better lighting, improved rest areas for shift workers, and adequate seating in offices.

Zacharias assured that lawmakers would take the plant’s challenges back to the government, expressing hope that progress would be recorded before the committee’s next visit.

Other members of the delegation included Hon. Harrison Anozie Nwadike, Hon. Suleiman Abubakar Gumi, Hon. Kalejaiye Paul Adeboye, Hon. El-Rasheed Abdullahi, and Hon. Emmanuel Effiong Udo.

They were received by Engr. Valerie Agberagba, General Manager of Generation Projects at the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), who welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Executive Director, Generation, Engr. Abdullahi Kassim.

Agberagba stressed that safety and staff welfare remain top priorities for the company:

“The visit gave us the opportunity to assess where we are in terms of health, safety, and compliance. When they compared the 2018 report to what they have now, there has been a great improvement. We are working towards an environment that is safe for both our workers and the operation of the power plant,” she said.

She added that management would address the committee’s observations promptly, noting that the welfare of staff was central to the plant’s productivity.

Also speaking, Acting Head of Health, Safety, and Environment at NDPHC, Austin Ijagem, disclosed that the Calabar plant has never recorded a fatal work-related accident since it began operations.

“When they visited in 2018, there were many safety concerns. Today, most of those issues have been closed out. That means we are getting closer to zero pending safety issues at the power plant,” he stated.

The lawmakers described the facility as one of the best they had visited in terms of safety standards and compliance.