By Elizabeth ADENUGA
The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC) is set to commence demolition and removal of illegal construction under its right of way (ROW) while warning customers to desist from illegal connection or face grave consequences.
The Chief Executive Officer, EKEDC, Mr Adeoye Fadeyibi, disclosed this at a customer consultative town hall meeting with Apapa electricity customers in Lagos.
According to him, the essence of the town hall meeting was to discuss with customers on how to improve on service delivery
“The continuous engagement with customers has been a long-standing customer’s relationship that has been built overtime which needs to be sustained. We have agreed to engage our customers based on the complaint that previous administration was not doing enough on customers’ service delivery.
“So far, we have been able to record about 150 per cent improvement in customers’ service delivery,” he said.
He decried the high rate of energy theft and illegal constructions along the company’s right of way by customers within the network. The measure, he explained, became necessary against the backdrop of billion of naira lost to various forms of energy theft and vandalism in the zone.
“Any act of infraction will be met with a stiff penalty. Enough is enough; Eko Disco will no longer tolerate this act of illegal tampering of our equipment and electrical installations. Tampering with Eko Disco meters, installations, distribution lines, equipment or assault on any field worker will attract a jail term.
“The management of EKEDC will no longer handle these actions with kid gloves; this is no empty threat. If you disregard this warning, you do so at your own risk,” he said.
He said it cost the company a huge amount to replace vandalised equipment and meters damaged by customers in a bid to bypass the meters.
Fadeyibi also said the company would henceforth commence effective prosecution of energy theft suspects, and also publish their names in the national dailies.
“We appeal to our customers to avoid engaging in by-passing the meters because it’s criminal and punishable under the Electricity Regulation Code of Conduct Act.
“l advise our customers to exercise a little patience with EKEDC, as we promise to address all issues regarding billings, metering, and other challenges,” he added.
