The tenure of the embattled MD/CEO of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc Dr. Marilyn Amobi came to an end yesterday July 24, 2020. The new MD/CEO Dr. Nnaemeka Ewelukwa assumed office today.
Our sources at NBET informed our correspondent that staff of NBET had waited expectantly for a formal handover ceremony but this was not to be as the embattled former MD/CEO remained holed up in her office all day and refused to see anyone. Our sources said that she left abruptly shortly after the Friday Jummat prayers for an undisclosed location and never returned to the office until close of work.
The abrupt manner of her departure and the fact that she did not formally hand over to her successor is already raising eyebrows. Our correspondent learnt that by refusing to prepare and deliver a handover note before her unceremonious departure, the embattled ex MD/CEO had clearly defied the express instructions of the President. In the letter dated June 15th 2020, with reference number FMF/PS/CORR/2010/VOL.I/148 signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, conveying the termination of her appointment, the embattled ex MD/CEO was directed to “Please ensure a smooth transition and comprehensive handover to the new MD/CEO. Your handover notes should be copied to the Honourable Minister of Power and the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning”.
Our correspondent who enquired at both ministries was informed by sources close to the Ministers that they did not receive copies of the handover notes of the ex MD/CEO as directed by the President. Our source at NBET also revealed that the new MD/CEO did not receive the handover notes.
Our correspondent who visited NBET offices on Friday noticed that several last minute contracts were being executed by the embattled ex MD/CEO even on her last day of work. Several workers from a prominent construction company that was involved in building and furnishing NBET’s offices were seen delivering truckloads of new furniture. The deliveries were so large that there was no space to pack them and they were left clogging all the corridors and reception spaces. NBET staffers were staring with mouth agape as they wondered why new furniture were being delivered when all the offices have been fully furnished with some excess in the storerooms.
The embattled ex MD/CEO was dogged throughout her tenure with allegations of corruption and contract fraud. She was indicted for corruption by the EFCC, the ICPC, the Auditor-General and also by the National Assembly in their recent report on the investigations carried out by the Power Committee of the House of Representatives.
According to a staff of NBET who wants to remain anonymous “Old habits they say are hard to change and thus it comes as no surprise that even on her last day in office Dr. Amobi is still dipping her hands in the cookie jar”.
There is an air of optimism among the staff of NBET that the new MD/CEO, Dr. Nnaemeka Ewelukwa, a pioneer staff of the company, will start the arduous task of rebuilding the company that has been laid waste by Dr. Amobi’s four years of mismanagement.
