EEDC, NSE Enugu branch partner on Engineering capacity building, technology innovation

Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has pledged to deepen collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Enugu Branch, particularly in engineering capacity building, technology innovation and the automation of operational processes

. Managing Director/CEO of EEDC, Engr. Vincent Ekwekwu,stated this when the newly elected Executive Committee of the NSE Enugu Branch paid him a courtesy visit at the company’s corporate headquarters , Power House, Enugu.

Ekwekwu, who received the delegation led by the NSE Enugu Branch Chairman, Engr. Osondu Loveday, congratulated the new executive and commended its commitment to advancing the engineering profession in the state.
He stressed the importance of developing human capacity and ensuring that only certified and qualified professionals practise engineering, while also calling for greater use of technology to improve EEDC’s operational efficiency, revenue generation and long-term sustainability.

“Many of our activities are still manually executed, and we want to rely on your wealth of experience to automate these processes. We want to see those experiences translate into tangible outcomes that reflect the success of our collaboration,” Ekwekwu said.

He also requested the NSE’s support in training EEDC personnel, broadening their professional exposure and encouraging more engineers within the company to register as members of the professional body.

Ekwekwu further briefed the delegation on developments in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, including EEDC’s evolution and the emergence of state-focused subsidiary distribution companies in the South-East following regulatory reforms in the sector.

EEDC’s Group Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Pauli Isiguzo, assured the NSE of the company’s support in identifying potential members among its workforce, noting that greater professional integration would promote knowledge sharing, regulatory compliance and accountability.
Isiguzo urged the NSE to develop training programmes tailored to the peculiar challenges of the electricity distribution environment.

“There are specific challenges within our operating environment that require home-grown initiatives,” he said. “It is through local engineers like you that these customized solutions can be developed.”
Speaking on the purpose of the visit, NSE Enugu Branch Chairman, Engr. Osondu Loveday, said the engagement was part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen relationships with key institutions, government agencies and corporate organisations contributing to engineering and socio-economic development.

Loveday described EEDC as a critical institution in the socio-economic development of the South-East, stressing the importance of reliable electricity to industrialisation, commerce, healthcare, education and modern life.

“Electricity remains fundamental to industrialization, commerce, healthcare, education, and modern life. As engineers, we recognize the vital importance of a functional, reliable, and sustainable power distribution system,” he said.
He expressed the readiness of the NSE Enugu Branch to collaborate with EEDC in technical knowledge sharing, engineering safety, infrastructure development, public enlightenment and capacity building.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the two organisations to identify areas of mutual cooperation and strengthen existing institutional ties.

Members of the EEDC management team present included Chief Information Officer, Okechukwu Idika; Group Head, Health, Safety and Environment, Dr. Francis Iwu; Project Manager, DISREP, Engr. Fatai Olanipekun; Group Head, Human Resources, Nkiru Chukwuma; Group Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh; Head, Metering, Engr. Nath Oseremen; Head, ICT, Engr. Yekini Jibrin; and Head, System Control, Engr. John Okoye.

Members of the NSE Executive Council on the delegation included Ex-Officio, Ozo Engr. Geoffrey Ozor; Publicity Secretary, Ozo Engr. Adibe Obinna; Financial Secretary, Engr. Chijioke Onyike; Engr. Millitus Okoye; and Engr. Clara Anyanwu.