Shareholders of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp)
have congratulated the Board and management for the resilient
performance achieved in 2019, despite the challenging environment. They
welcomed the diversified earnings provided by the Group, Nigeria’s
leading listed conglomerate, the largest power generator in Nigeria,
operator of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest hotel and a growing natural
resources player.
Transcorp held its 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) online, due to the
Covid19 pandemic, a corporate first in Nigeria. Shareholders
participated in the meeting through proxies and a total of 129 proxies
representing holders of 21,450,062,121 ordinary shares of the company
voted on the resolutions proposed by the directors to the shareholders.
The President/Group CEO of Transcorp, Owen Omogiafo set out her
strategic ambition, whilst also committing to safeguard shareholder
interests by ensuring improved dividends. Mrs. Omogiafo who was recently
appointed as the Group CEO with a team of subsidiary CEOs, stated that
the new management team is dedicated to delivering and exceeding the
strategic objectives of the Company, rooted in its founding vision and
expressed in its corporate purpose of ‘Improving Lives, Transforming
Nigeria’. She went on to say “in Hospitality, we will deepen and expand
our market share by deploying an asset light strategy, leveraging best
in class technology and continuously drive the highest service
standards. In Power, we target completing the ongoing transaction for
the 100% acquisition of another power plant in the gas rich Niger Delta
Region of Nigeria – Afam Genco, this year. This will enhance our play in
the power space, with increased generation capacity, revenue and
profitability. Our drive to diversify our energy mix will also continue,
with a focus on renewable energy and off grid solutions. We will
continue to monitor developments in the oil and gas space, while making
the best decisions in the interest of the company and its shareholders
regarding the development of our oil and gas asset, OPL 281. Working
with the MD/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Dupe Olusola and the MD/CEO,
Transcorp Power Ltd, Chris Ezeafulukwe, and all our highly committed
staff and partners, we are well positioned as a group to continue to
deliver great value for our shareholders”.
In his address to the shareholders, the Chairman, Transnational
Corporation of Nigeria Plc, Tony O. Elumelu, CON, commended the efforts
of the government in combatting the scourge of COVID 19 and reiterated
the importance of synergy between the private sector and government, in
stemming the spread of the global pandemic. “I’ve often said that our
commitment to improving lives and transforming Nigeria is a lifelong
one. Those words are truer today than ever, as we partner with State and
Federal authorities to stem the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic, while our
businesses seek to cushion its impact for Nigerians in their course of
operation.”
The meeting was the first full virtual AGM to be held by any listed
company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Shareholders viewed the decision
to hold the AGM virtually, as a demonstration of the proactiveness of
the company, efficiently and effectively channeling company resources.
The Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Boniface
Okezie said in his comments during the meeting, “This virtual AGM – the
first of its kind for a publicly listed company in Nigeria, reflects the
level of innovation and technology adoption in our company. This is
truly exciting!”
Transcorp achieved a turnover of ₦76.35bn and profit before tax of
N7.90bn in the year under review. Revenue from its power business,
Transcorp Power Limited declined during the period, reflecting acute gas
supply issues, transmission challenges, delay in debt payment by
government and continuing structural impediments in the sector. The
company’s hospitality business, Transcorp Hotels Plc, on the other hand,
grew its year-on-year revenue by 17% and gross profit increased by 19%,
compared to FY 2018.
Mrs. Omogiafo conclude by highlighting that despite current challenges
brought on by the global pandemic, the underlining strength of the
Group’s businesses, the quality of its assets, its position as the
leading Nigerian electricity producer, the proud owner of the Transcorp
Hilton Hotel in Abuja, the hospitality gateway to Nigeria and its
growing strength as an effective natural resources player, should give
shareholders great confidence in the Group’s future. She thanked staff
and management particularly for their dedication during the recent
lockdown.