From Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt
The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) at the weekend threatened to name and shame persons involved in energy theft.
Speaking at a public forum in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Henry Ajagbawa, decried the negative impact of energy theft on the supply of electricity.
He said apart from naming and shaming perpetrators, the company would also ensure their prosecution.
The company chief executive warned the offenders to desist from such an unholy and wicked act, which he said was capable of threatening the sustainability of the company.
Ajagbawa said: “We are determined to eradicate energy theft in the system. That’s why we are collaborating with the security agencies. Any customer caught bypassing or tampering with our meter will not only be named and shamed but shall in addition face the full wrath of law and thereafter made to pay for loss of revenue arising from the unwholesome act.”
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The PHED chief said the company was losing over N2.5 billion monthly to energy theft, a situation he described as disturbing.
“One of the ways we can survive and improve on our services is when customers pay their bills and stop meter bypass. We are coming after those who are involved in meter bypass and we will get back what belongs to us. Those sabotaging the system must be brought to book.
“We need a legislation to criminalise energy theft and vandalism of electricity facilities. If you criminalise it and make the consequences severe, definitely, we will have it better. Nigerians should learn to pay for energy consumed.”
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