By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Like a golden fish which cannot be hidden, the excellence of Egbin Power Plc has been recognised in faraway Zambia, where it emerged as the Best in Safety Performance in Power Generation Company in Africa at the 2024 AfriSafe Awards held in Livingstone, Zambia.
The Nigerian energy firm received this accolade for its commitment to safety excellence through the implementation of a series of initiatives to deepen its safety culture.
“The company’s consistent dedication to creating a safe and sustainable working environment has set a new benchmark for the power generation industry in Africa.
“This well-deserved recognition is a testament to Egbin Power’s relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to high safety standards,” the founder of the AfriSafe Award, Mr Femi Dasilva, explained the reason for bestowing the award on the power generating organisation.
While receiving the award, the chief executive of Egbin Power, Mr Mokhtar Bounour, said, “This award is a testament to the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of the board, management team and staff of Egbin Power. Our commitment to safety is not just a slogan; it’s a core value that permeates every aspect of our operations.”
“This award further validates our focus on deepening the culture of safety, and we are immensely proud of our team for making it happen. By working together, we have set a new standard for safety excellence in the power generation industry.
“We will continue to strive for continuous improvement and remain steadfast in our pursuit of a zero-harm workplace,” he assured.
The 2024 AfriSafe Award was graced by dignitaries, including ministers in the Zambian government, representatives of Nigeria’s House of Reps Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations. captains of industry and distinguished safety professionals from across over 24 African countries.
At a separate event held in furtherance of its commitment to safety excellence, Egbin Power held its annual QHSE Week, themed Egbin DNA: Building a Culture of Safety and Sustainability in the Workplace.
The Week was also attended by a delegation from the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) led by the National President, Stephen Awori Udezi; the chairman of the Lagos branch of the Institute Mr Sola Ogunleye; and others.
The high point of 2024 QHSE Week was the unveiling of the company’s new fire-fighting truck and also awards given to outstanding departments and employees who continuously demonstrated high commitment to improving Egbin Power’s robust safety management system, while upholding high safety standards in the course of duty.
Commenting on the annual QHSE Week, the Head of QHSE at Egbin Power, Mr Julius Akpong, said the company has a deeply entrenched safety culture and effective management system that guide employees and the company’s operations.
“At Egbin Power, we have built a strong safety culture and instituted a structured approach to occupational safety management over the years. Workplace safety is a priority and part of our core values: Safety, Professionalism, Integrity & Discipline, Commitment to Stakeholders, Environmental Consciousness and Sustainability (SPICES),” he stated.
In celebrating the week, employees participated in activities like family safety moments which included, aerobics, practical training sessions anchored by Nigerian Red Cross officials who enlightened staff and their family members on first-aid and firefighting techniques.