MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has pledged to strengthen staff welfare, workplace safety, career development and its partnership with organised labour as part of efforts to transform electricity distribution in Enugu State.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MainPower, Dr. Ernest Mupwaya, gave the assurance on Wednesday when he received the leadership of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Enugu State Council, during a courtesy visit to the company’s headquarters at Power House, Enugu.
The NUEE delegation was led by the State Chairman, Comrade Obumneme Chime, and included the State Secretary, Comrade Njoku Uchendu, and other members of the council.
Welcoming the delegation, Mupwaya commended the union for adopting what he described as a constructive approach to labour-management relations, stressing that the management, workforce and organised labour had a shared responsibility to build an efficient and financially sustainable electricity distribution company.
He said management had taken note of the union’s concerns regarding workers’ welfare, promotion and career progression, health and safety, staffing, training, professional development, employee participation and recreational activities.
According to him, the issues would continue to receive attention through structured engagement, while improvements in staff welfare would be anchored on stronger operational and financial performance.
“We must recognise that the welfare of our employees and the sustainability of the business are closely connected. As we improve operational efficiency, customer service and revenue collection, while reducing losses, we strengthen the capacity of the company to provide better opportunities and welfare for our people,” Mupwaya said.
On workplace safety, the MainPower boss described it as a shared and non-negotiable responsibility, insisting that no operational target should take precedence over human life.
He disclosed that the company was implementing a broad transformation programme aimed at improving electricity supply, metering, customer service, revenue performance and overall operational efficiency.
“Achieving these objectives requires a motivated, disciplined, properly trained and productive workforce,” he said.
Mupwaya also welcomed proposals by the union on continuous professional development and recreational activities, noting that such initiatives could improve teamwork and employee wellbeing.
He assured the delegation that relevant departments would engage with the union to examine how the proposals could be incorporated into the company’s programmes within available resources.
Earlier, NUEE State Chairman, Comrade Obumneme Chime, said the visit was aimed at establishing and strengthening a cordial relationship between the union and MainPower management.
Chime acknowledged the progress being recorded by the company and reaffirmed the union’s preference for dialogue, mutual respect and constructive engagement in resolving issues affecting employees.
Both sides subsequently committed to sustaining open communication and collaboration to promote workers’ welfare, productivity, workplace safety, industrial harmony and improved electricity service delivery across Enugu State.
Mupwaya was accompanied during the meeting by members of his management team, including the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ikenna Akabogu; Chief Finance Officer, Mrs. Mercy Ogbonna; Head of Health, Safety and Environment, Dr. Francis Iwu; Head of Customer Services, Mrs. Ijeoma Ogudebe; and Head of Human Resources, Delphine Nkiru Chukwuma.
