Charity abroad
By Hardball Togo is bidding to offtake more electricity from Nigeria through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to meet its rising domestic demand. Reports said a delegation from
By Hardball
Togo is bidding to offtake more electricity from Nigeria through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to meet its rising domestic demand.
Reports said a delegation from the national electricity utility of Togo, Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET), recently visited Nigeria to negotiate upscaling power procurement from Nigeria from about 75 megawatt-hours of electricity currently being lifted from NDPHC under a bilateral power supply arrangement. The delegation, led by CEET Director-General Débo‑K’mba Barandao, conveyed Togo’s desire to expand access to electricity consumers across the neighbouring country with increased power volume being eyed from the Nigerian supplier.
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The customer experience Togo had till date, according to Barandao, has been blissful, as electricity imported from Nigeria has played a significant role in sustaining stable power supply and economic activities across that country. He praised NDPHC’s consistency, noting that the partnership has improved reliability within Togo’s national grid and strengthened regional energy cooperation.
Barandao explained that there has been a surge in electricity demand in Togo owing to new consumers in the industrial and commercial sectors, and with the country’s government trying to expand national access. “In view of this development, CEET is strongly interested in increasing the volume of electricity it offtakes from NDPHC,” he stated, noting that the additional supply would aid power expansion plans and ensure stable electricity for newly connected consumers nationwide.
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NDPHC Managing Director Jennifer Adighije, who led the talks with the CEET delegation, affirmed the electricity supplier’s readiness to deepen cooperation with, and sustain electricity exports to neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region. According to her, NDPHC operates multiple plants under the National Integrated Power Project, with capacity to support increased regional electricity supply. The partnership, she further stated, aligned with wider regional efforts under the Economic Community of West African States to strengthen electricity trade among member states.
Adighije, however, stressed the imperative of a criterion for expanding electricity exports, namely bankable and sustainable commercial deals between both parties. “A reliable payment framework will safeguard NDPHC’s interests and enable continued support for regional energy stability through power exports,” she said, adding that credible financial guarantees and structured payment mechanisms would help reduce risks associated with cross-border electricity trade.
Any Nigerian listening to Barandao’s consumer testimony from Togo would marvel at the difference in the average Nigeran electricity consumer experience. And the catch is, it is Nigerian suppliers involved. In other words, the service potential that is not being enjoyed locally – not at the hands of NDPHC in particular, but the power companies collectively – is routine experience abroad. Physician, heal thyself!
