Reps move to boost power generation, pledge support for Egbin Power

The House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation has pledged legislative backing to Egbin Power Plc, Nigeria’s largest thermal power station, as the company battles operational constraints affecting its capacity.

Hamisu Ibrahim, chairman of the committee, gave the assurance during an oversight visit to the power plant in Lagos, where he led other lawmakers and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Director General, Ayo Gbeleyi, to inspect the facility and engage with the company’s management.

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“We are impressed with the operations of Egbin Power Plant. We will do everything possible at the National Assembly level to partner with Egbin Power to improve its performance,” Ibrahim said.

He noted that many of the challenges identified by Egbin Power are common across other generation companies in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), adding that strategic collaboration and policy interventions are necessary to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the sector.

In his presentation, Mokhtar Bounour, CEO of Egbin Power, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to stable and reliable power generation but pointed out that certain constraints continue to hamper its ability to operate optimally.

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“Power is an essential utility that drives socio-economic progress. That is why we are focused on delivering best-in-class service, bringing energy to life responsibly in line with global best practices,” Bounour said.

He highlighted key investments made since the plant’s takeover, including the upgrade of the Distributed Control System for five units, enhanced safety protocols, staff capacity building, and sustainability projects. Despite these improvements, operational bottlenecks remain.

BPE’s Gbeleyi praised Egbin for its technical efficiency and role in supporting national economic development, describing the plant’s output and sustainability practices as “commendable.”