TheCable

The Nigeria Power Sector Awards Limited has opened entries for the maiden edition of its competition. 

In a statement, Racheal Salehu, director of marketing and sponsorship, Nigeria Power Sector Awards Limited, said the award aims to celebrate the progress achieved so far within the power sector.

Salehu said the award categories are structured to highlight and recognise every segment of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). 

According to Salehu, they include electricity power generation category, electricity distribution category, independent power provider of the year (captive generation), most innovative power technology category, renewable energy category, gas supply company of the year, transaction/deal category, public sector organisation of the year. 

Others are the development finance institution of the year, bank/financial institution of the year, best state government in the power sector, and the lifetime achievement awards.  

“There will also be a posthumous award to be given to the Late Engr. Joseph Makoju, OFR, whose contributions and achievements in the power sector were exceptional in developing the NESI,” she said.

She said nominations for the respective awards are currently open and will close on September 30th, 2022, adding that the award event would be held at Sheraton Hotels, Abuja on November 23. 

“The unbundling and privatisation of the Nigerian power sector was concluded in 2013. However, due to a myriad of challenges, the power sector has not yet delivered on the envisaged benefits of privatization in terms of reliable electricity supply,” Salehu said. 

“In spite of these challenges bedevilling the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the power sector has undoubtedly achieved measurable but modest progress and improvements since the conclusion of the privatisation and is on the path of growth. Unfortunately, these improvements and progress are often overshadowed by the challenges in the sector. 

“We believe that it is time to highlight, showcase and celebrate the improvements and progress so far achieved within the power sector, in the form of an annual power sector award event. It is on this basis, that we are organizing the Nigeria Power Sector Awards, which we intend to become the premier power sector award event in Nigeria. 

“The Awards aim to achieve three broad objectives – (i) to reward and incentivize organizations and individuals who have contributed in measurable ways to the improvements, growth and progress in the sector; (ii) to catalyse further improvements, growth, innovation and progress in the power sector; and (iii) to transparently highlight the improvements and growth achieved within the power sector to change the negative public opinion about the power sector, which has become a hindrance and constraint to attracting much needed long term investments in the power sector.”

She added that the award event would highlight winners’ efforts and achievements within the power sector since the conclusion of the power sector privatisation. 

“In addition, the power sector Awards will provide a unique platform for networking, stimulate top-level interactions and deepen collaborations within the power sector. The Awards will bring together key stakeholders top-level state government officials involved in the power sector at sub-national levels, top officials from Nigeria’s power and energy sector, Ministers and top government officials in the power sector ministries and regulatory organizations, top-level members of the National Assembly, of Banks, financial institutions, development finance institutions and private equity infrastructure funds that are power sector focused, Core Investors of GenCos and DisCos, amongst other high-level dignitaries expected to attend the Awards,” she added. 

Public and private organisations actively involved in the power sector are advised to apply for the award here.