Reps Commend Safety Standards at Calabar Power Plant

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations has praised the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for maintaining high safety standards at the 565-megawatt Calabar Power Plant located in Odukpani, Cross River State. The commendation came after lawmakers conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the facility on Monday, September 29, 2025, noting marked improvements since their previous visit in 2018.

Leading the inspection was Hon. David Idris Zacharias, Chairman of the Safety Standards Committee, accompanied by colleagues including Harrison Anozie Nwadike, Suleiman Abubakar Gumi, Kalejaiye Paul Adeboye, El-Rasheed Abdullahi, and Emmanuel Effiong Udo. After touring the plant, they expressed satisfaction with the current condition of its health, safety, and regulatory compliance protocols. “My impression here is positive, and my colleagues share the same view,” Hon. Zacharias said, underscoring that the visit is part of broader efforts to ensure Nigerians work in environments that are safe and conducive to long, healthy lives.

According to the head of communications at NDPHC, Emmanuel Ojor, the improvements observed reflect a deliberate move by the plant’s management to address issues raised in past inspections. The General Manager for Generation Projects, Valerie Agberagba, speaking on behalf of the Executive Director, Generation, affirmed that safety and standards remain top priorities. Agberagba acknowledged there have been considerable progress since 2018 and pledged that the company intends to promptly address the few remaining gaps highlighted during the visit.

One of the most noted accomplishments is that, since its operations began, the plant has not recorded any work-related accident that resulted in a fatality. Austin Ijagem, Acting Head of Health, Safety and Environment at NDPHC, attributed this safety record to strict adherence to international safety protocols and regulation compliance. The absence of fatal accidents has often been cited as a key indicator of a robust safety culture.

While praising the facility, the lawmakers identified specific areas that need attention to further elevate staff welfare and operational comfort. Improvement points include better lighting in key sections of the plant, the creation of rest areas for shift workers, and more adequate seating in offices. These features, though ancillary to core safety systems, are seen as critical parts of a working environment that supports efficiency, workers’ morale, and long-term productivity.

The Committee’s visit signals that regulatory oversight is alive and that public agencies are following through on mandates to monitor safety in critical infrastructure. The Calabar plant, which forms part of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), has a strategic role in Nigeria’s power supply chain and is under scrutiny not only for output but also for how it treats its workforce and ensures regulatory compliance.

Officials from NDPHC emphasised that worker welfare is central to its operations. In the view of management, a safe, healthy, and comfortable workforce is more likely to deliver consistent performance. Agberagba reiterated that the plant’s management will act swiftly to correct the small deficiencies observed, insisting that progress in safety does not stop with compliance but continues through ongoing improvement.

The lawmakers’ commendation reflects a broader expectation in the power sector: that energy generation facilities enforce safety protocols, protect employees from harm, and maintain international standards—not just to reduce accidents, but to ensure the reliability and stability of power infrastructure. In recent years, the power sector has come under scrutiny for lapses in safety and environmental compliance; the progress at the Calabar plant therefore stands out as a benchmark of what is achievable when attention to safety is constant.

Stakeholders are viewing the inspection and its outcome as a positive signal not just for Calabar, but for other power plants across the federation. Experts observe that when regulatory oversight is consistent and management commits to enforcement and improvement, safety standards across the sector tend to rise, benefiting all workers and customers alike.

However, the Reps’ visit also serves as a reminder that safety is not static. With evolving technologies, increased demand, and the wear and tear of infrastructure, regular reviews and upgrades are essential. Translating high safety standards into long-term performance will depend on continuous investment, staff training, and maintained regulatory oversight.

For the local community around the Calabar plant, the visible improvements and absence of fatal workplace incidents offer some reassurance. Energy generation is often accompanied by risks—from high-voltage equipment, gas supply lines, heavy machinery—so demonstrating that those risks are being mitigated helps build public trust. It also contributes to the overall attractiveness of investing in the power sector, both for domestic actors and foreign partners, if safety is seen as a priority.

The Committee’s report is expected to be submitted to the relevant ministries and regulatory bodies. It likely will recommend stronger enforcement of safety regulations, more frequent inspections, and perhaps guidelines for minimum employee welfare amenities at all power facilities. In turn, NDPHC will be expected to follow through on its pledges, with measurable timelines for addressing the flagged shortfalls.

 

In conclusion, the House of Representatives’ Safety Standards Committee’s visit to the Calabar Power Plant and its laudatory findings represent an encouraging development for Nigeria’s power sector. While recognizing substantial safety progress, particularly the fatality-free record and regulatory compliance, the lawmakers’ targeted recommendations underscore that safety is holistic—spanning from heavy machinery and plant operations to lighting, rest areas, and worker comfort. For Calabar, the challenge now is not only maintaining these standards but raising them as models for other plants across the country.