The Nation Newspaper

Tag: consumers

  • Chi connects consumers via social media

    chi Limited, fruit juices and beverages maker, is leveraging on the digital and social networking space to connect with consumers. This, it does by not only rewarding consumers, but activating important consumer touch points in exciting and fun ways.

    Active across all the leading social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Chi Limited recently concluded a series of social media contest such as ‘My 100% Achievement Contest’ and ‘Tea Side of Life Promo’ for Chivita 100% fruit juice and Chi Ice Tea respectively.

    Other promos include Hollandia Yoghurt’s ‘Colours of Goodness Contest’, Chi Happy Hour ‘Burst of Refreshment Dance Contest’, Chi Exotic ‘My Exotic Weekend Promo’ and Chivita Active ‘Vegetable fruit Mix Promo’.

  • Who defends the rights of electricity consumers?

    SIR: It is no longer debatable that electricity consumers in Nigeria are groaning under the yoke of the ‘privileged’ power distribution companies. It is not just the reoccurring issue of non-supply of electricity but forcing consumers to pay heavily for what was poorly supplied. In some parts of the country, it is a clear case of paying for services never rendered.

    Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKDC, as an instance, stopped power supply to Idimu and adjoining communities in Alimosho Local Council Area of Lagos in September. It would amount to an understatement, arguing that currently the outage has completely grounded socio-economic activities in the areas. Shockingly, IKDC has not issued any official statement about the ugly development and there is equally no sign that it would resolve the issue soon.

    It is also very obvious that the consumers are bearing the unmerited hardship without any sympathy or support from relevant government agencies. The ones saddled with the protection of consumers’ rights are simply unconcerned. In fact, it appears that they are more concerned about their salaries and other welfare packages.

    The same nonchalant attitude is equally noticed in the appropriate law-making organ of the government. It has severally debated the shameful power supply and consumer exploitation issue without making any meaningful impact. It would be recalled that it strongly condemned and even put on hold, the proposed increase in electricity tariff. Was its directive fully obeyed by the distribution companies?

    The consumer-exploitation challenge, no doubt, pre-dated the ruling government at the centre. But, it is imperative to emphasise that she promised and is evidently concerned about effecting ‘change.’ The promise must not be limited to ‘fighting high-level corruption cases.’ She must, as a matter of urgency, initiate and implement steps aimed at addressing persistent public outcry over DISCOs’ exploitation.

     

    • Sunday Shorikwue Odiaka,

    Lagos.

  • Changing world of consumers

    Changing world of consumers

    The world of consumers is becoming more complicated for marketers to understand. At a recent roundtable in Lagos, organised by a marketing research firm, KantarMilwardbrown, participants said advertisers and brand handlers needed to retool to understand consumers’ ever-changing lifestyle, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    The world is becoming mobile-centric, and the remaining personal computer markets are slowly migrating to mobile. For marketers and brand strategists, this is an ominous sign in a sector still driven by traditional creative thinking.

    In an attempt to build brands, most players still resort to old ways of pushing their brands in an era where consumers have become more sophisticated as their exposure to technology now defines how they relate with brands.

    At a roundtable in Lagos, by KantarMilward Brown, a global marketing and advertising research firm, experts came up with ideas for Nigerian brand and marketing managers, both from the agencies and client’s side, on how to relate with the changing world of consumers. This  is in order to connect with them to enhance returns on investment (RoI).

    On the occasion, the Chief Client Officer, Consumer Insights at KantarMilward Brown, Karin Du Chenne, said the market realities demanded stakeholders to understand the fact that today’s connectivity is reshaping consumers, commerce and content. Noting that marketing to consumers is now tougher, she said there was increased pressure on pricing and more competition.

    With low hurdles for new entrants into the market, consumers are now more empowered because of access to technology.

    Chenne said these have given rise to a range of new business models such as e-commerce and other technological-driven platforms that compete with traditional market.

    She said the models had elicited new experience among consumers who yearn for convenience. Rather than sending emails to make enquiry at far-reaching locations, consumers through their mobile devices just need a click and data on their phones to make purchases and sell.

    “Mobile connectivity has helped emerging markets to catch up rapidly. As expected, younger people remain the most connected. In an era of micro-moments it is important for brands to be a part of the conversation and be consistent across touchpoints,” she said.

    Chenne said further that brands and marketing professionals should expect such changing consumer behavioural pattern in a market that has reached maturity such as Nigeria’s, in which digital/social media is a daily habit with Lagos leading the way in digital/social.

    “As markets mature, consumers become more diverse in their digital behaviour,” she said.

    Experts also said there was a need for brand builders to understand media content consumption pattern among consumers. This is necessary to ensure designing a message that not only connects, but delivers RoI.

    The Global Brand Director, Link, KantarMillward Brown, Daren Poole, said agencies and advertisers should do research to find the missing link between their brands and the target market. While emphasising the role of creativity, he said the truth was that advertising and media content must deliver RoI. “Brands and ads need instant meaning,” he said.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kantar Africa & Middle East, Charles Foster, said there was a need for market operators to embark on consumer research to understand the changing lifestyle of consumers.

    He,  however, said advertisers and their agencies should not be afraid of cost of data collection.

    He said: “Data source agnostic will drive down data collection costs and change the skill sets in the industry.”

    KantarMillward Brown Nigeria Managing Director, Mrs. Ugo Geri-Robert, said research was key in building brand, adding that technology plays a big role, and that consumers have become more powerful with the use of technology.

  • Hollandia rewards consumers

    Chi Limited has rewarded winners of the just-concluded Hollandia Yoghurt ‘Colours of Goodness’ social media promo.

    At the prize presentation, which held recently, several prizes, including Smart Phones, Tablets and packs of Hollandia Yoghurt were handed over to winners of the social media contest promo.

    The participants, who  expressed their views,  said the gifts were a bonus to the satisfaction derived from consuming the product.

    One of the lucky winners, Victoria Damilola Thomas, who smiled home with a Samsung Galaxy Smartphone, said: “I am excited to know that I am now a proud owner of a  Samsung Galaxy Smartphone, courtesy of Chi Limited. The Hollandia Yoghurt ‘Colour of Goodness’ contest has made me feel the goodness within and given me an opportunity to flaunt it outside.”

    The promo required consumers to like the Hollandia Yoghurt Facebook-page and follow the brand’s Instagram and Twitter handle. They were also urged to post creative photos of themselves with three packs of the new Hollandia Yoghurt, using the hashtag ‘#Coloursofgoodness’.

    The Head, Marketing of the firm, Probal Bhattacharya, said: “The Hollandia Yoghurt ‘Colours of Goodness’social media contest is our way of creating a platform for millions of our consumers to showcase their ingenuity and get rewarded for doing so. For consumers who are eager to feel the goodness of Hollandia Yoghurt within and also flaunt the brand’s goodness outside, the Hollandia Yoghurt ‘Colours of Goodness’ contest provides the best opportunity.”

     

  • Consumers hail Chivita’s ‘my 100% achievement’ promo

    Consumers hail Chivita’s ‘my 100% achievement’ promo

    Chivita 100 per cent fruit Juice from the stable of Chi Limited thrilled consumers with exciting gifts at its just-concluded My 100 per cent Achievement’ social media promo.

    The promo, which witnessed large participation, consolidated the brand’s affinity with consumers across the digital space.

    The promo was inspirational as it highlighted essential elements of success and leadership of the brand in its market category.

    It required participants to share moments of success they were proud of, be it graduation from school, writing a book, starting a business and others.

    Consumers shared stories of values and principles that motivated them.

    At the prizes’presentation recently, IPhones, IPads and packs of Chivita 100 per cent fruit juice were given to winners.

    One of the lucky winners, who won an IPhone, Esezebor Sylvester, said: “Chivita 100 per cent is my favourite fruit juice, not only for its nourishing and refreshing taste and variants, but also for its health benefits and so when I heard of this competition, I quickly made an entry. The promo is unique because through our ‘100 per cent Achievement’ stories, we are able to inspire each other to achieve the best there is at anytime.”

    To stand a chance of winning in the promo, consumers were encouraged to like the Chivita 100 per cent page on Facebook and follow the brand’s Instagram and Twitter handles. They were also required to share their 100 per cent achievement on any of the brand’s social media pages, using the hashtag #My100 per cent Achievement.

    The top entries were posted on Chivita 100 per cent’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter handles. The final entrants had to get their friends to like their entries on any of the social media pages so that they could accumulate points. Winners were selected based on the highest number of points.

    The company’s Head of Marketing, Probal Bhattacharya, hailed the winners for participating in the contest. He said: “As we continue to develop creative ways of engaging consumers via our various social media platforms, it is our belief that they would continue to explore the amazing quality and benefits of Chivita 100 per cent. As they strive to achieve success or reach memorable milestones in their lives, our consumers deserve the best in fruit juice and Chivita 100 per cent gives the best at all times.”

  • Consumers laud Samsung’s Galaxy J series

    Consumers laud Samsung’s Galaxy J series

    Samsung has taken another leap in its mobile phone brand rating. It has introduced a new smartphone, Galaxy J series, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN.

    Consumers across the country have applauded Samsung for introducing a new phone in addition to its collection of smartphones. The phone is expected to cater for the growing demand for affordable and superior smartphones with high-end performance and better user experience.

    Samsung has been manufacturing low-end Android phones that have become popular among consumers and people can now buy at affordable prices.

    Android phones from Samsung have made it possible for more Nigerians to migrate from feature phones to smartphones.

    Producers of the phone are optimistic that increasing demand for Smartphones will be met in the new Galaxy J. Series.

    They said the brand endeavours to provide suitable products for consumers based on market demand.

    On the other hand, phone lovers say their dream to own high-end smartphone has finally come true at a time when features like removable batteries and expandable storage are neglected in favour of elegant all-metal designs.

    The Galaxy J series, they say, is one of the very few decent smartphones that set out to please everyone.

    According to users of the phone, i

    nts camera feature, which captures extreme detail is appealing.

    Apart from that, it has a dual flash, dual 16MP Auto-focus back and 8.0MP Auto-focus front camera, making mobile gaming and movie experience unique and it has more battery life than other smartphones.

    Mobile phone analysts are impressed with the specifications of the Galaxy J series.

    They said Samsung leveraged on its many years of experience to perfect the one-handed user experience on the J7 as the device is easy to hold and sits very well in one’s palm.

    These analysts are aware that a major complaint by users of smart mobile devices is that their device’s battery doesn’t charge fast enough, even after extended charging periods and assure Nigerians that with the Galaxy J’s Adaptive Fast Charging feature, users can finally enjoy everything the Galaxy J7 has to offer, without the fear of the battery needing a recharge so often.

    For Michael Abiodun, a civil servant in Lagos, who needed a new smartphone to reflect his heightened financial status, the J7 served him best.

    He explained to The Nation Shopping at the launch of the phone in Lagos that he was informed by a friend about the arrival of the Galaxy J series into the market, and the interest the product has been generating among high profile phone users.

    He then decided to go shopping at the popular Computer Village in Lagos, where he located a Samsung Shop and inquire for the Galaxy J series, which include smartphones designed with amazing cameras, brilliant displays and pricey price tag.

    Abiodun lauded the initiative for its ability to push the boundaries of mobile innovation, yet remain affordable despite the proliferation of smartphones in the market.

    He said: “The J series, which plays in the mid-range segment of the mobile phone market, also offers impressive specifications and features. Many big smartphones tend to be highly priced and beyond the reach of majority of people. This is where the Galaxy J7 stands out: offering users a big device at a price that won’t dig a hole in their pockets. With the introduction of the Galaxy J7, and Galaxy J5, Samsung is set to continue its dominance of the mid-range smartphone segment.”

    This unique smartphone, according to Samsung, lets users get the most out of their mobile experience with functions and features that take mobility to an entirely new level. The producers explained that from the brilliant screen, with advanced resolution, contrast, and colour reproduction, viewing text, images and video, user experience has never been better.

    According to them, the J series captures impressive images with manual aperture settings and even a flash on the front-facing camera. Selfies are immediately improved with beauty face mode, and palm recognition makes it easier to snap the photo without ruining posture.

  • Ice tea for consumers

    Across various cultures and traditions, tea drinking is generally seen as a lifestyle that cuts across age or ethnic barrier, with more people getting initiated into the culture. Tea drinking has become not just a part of our meals, but a natural remedy that re-invigorates and refreshes all day long.

    According to Healthguardiance.org, a reputable fitness and wellness website, research has shown that Ice Tea has been proven to be a healthy option as it contains anti-oxidants, low calories as well as a good hydrating and rejuvenating benefit.

    For Ice Tea consumers across Nigeria, exciting times lie ahead as Chi Limited, Nigeria’s market leader in juice and fruit drinks recently unveiled a new marketing communication campaign for its Ice Tea brand, tagged: “Come over to the Tea Side of Life”.

    Made from premium natural tea leaves with delicious fruity flavors, Chi Ice Tea is an excellent blend of natural tea extract with real fruits, produced to provide consumers a delightful and natural great-tasting beverage for rejuvenation.

    Meant to promote the culture of tea drinking across the various strata of society, the television advertisement aptly delivers the emotional attributes of refreshment, rejuvenation and naturalness associated with the brand.

  • Encourage consumers by streamlining the processes of redress

    Encourage consumers by streamlining the processes of redress

    ONE of the major factors that deter aggrieved consumers from seeking redress is the perceived and assumed tortuous and lingering process of getting justice.

    Consumers in Nigeria pass through one form of abuse every day, either from service providers, manufacturers or retailers but a majority swallow it and carry on believing that getting justice will even cost them much more.

    A majority of the consumers interviewed said they prefer to take the offence in their stride instead of wasting precious money and time trying to get justice that may never come or take years to come.

    “I have been trying to get justice from the Consumer Protection Council of Nigeria (CPC) over the telecommunication giant MTN since the past six months but it has been an uphill task,” lamented an MTN subscriber who pleaded for anonymity.

    At The Nation office, 27b, Fatai Atere Way, Mushin, Lagos, where he came to seek intervention, he said since he lodged his first formal letter with the CPC Lagos, “there had been two unsuccessful mediation meetings presided by CPC officials between MTN representatives and I but nothing further had been done as MTN management keeps derailing the meetings.”

    For Mr. Festus Okpenyemi, his case lingered on from April last year to December, at the Lagos State Consumer Protection Committee before it was finally resolved to his satisfaction.

    Speaking to the reporter at the venue of the mediation meeting at the first floor of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Alausa, Ikeja, he attributed the length of the hearing of his case to the accused party who kept postponing the mediation meetings by not being available on the agreed dates of the meetings.

    Besides, said Mr.Okpenyemi, the mediation meetings at the Secretariat hold every fortnightly as members of the Committee are highly placed civil servants with heavy work load.

    Mrs. Obiamaka Okeke said though her own case did not take long to resolve, she had to incur expenses by travelling on four different occasions to the operational headquarters of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) at No.13/14, Victoria Arobieke Street, Lekki, Phase 1, Lagos.

    “I was seeking justice over a substandard product I bought for N6,000 and subsequently incurred expenses of almost N10,000 to get redress that did not completely assuage my anger.”

    But Barrister Femi Okoye, the president of ‘Know Your Right’ Agency, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) refuted claims that the CPC and NGOs take time in resolving issues. “If it is a law court, it may take months or even years to get the much desired justice.

    “In most cases, government agencies do not take time in resolving cases except on rare occasions, but in the end justice is achieved,” he stressed.

    Concerning ways of making the redress processes less cumbersome, Barrister Okoye noted that every day better ways of doing things keep evolving, but we need patience and awareness to get there.

    “Apart from the law courts, the issue of getting redress for offended consumers from both the government and NGOs is a relatively new ground, but with time the process will be fine-tuned and all the unnecessary bureaucracies removed,” he said.

    Reacting to the topic, Mr. Abiodun Obimuyiwa, the Deputy Director of Public Relations (DDPR), CPC head office Abuja, explained that “the redress system is from time to time being streamlined directly and through systematic enhancement. The council has over time been enhancing its redress mechanism.”

    Besides setting new time lines for the resolution of cases brought before it, Obimuyiwa disclosed that more empowerment has been provided for its work force to achieve resolution of cases within a set deadline.

    Speaking from his Abuja office, Mr. Obimuyiwa said that apart from the above, “with increased consumer education, more consumers are becoming more aware of the needed caution to be taken before making purchases.”

    Moreover, said the DDPR, “the number of service or product providers that are aware of the rights of consumers keep increasing by the day,” adding that “these new converts respond more quickly to consumer complaints with a view to providing succour to aggrieved consumers just as they avoid situations that can warrant consumer dissatisfaction.”

    “However, you know that there are steps which must be taken to resolve complaints and we have to follow all to ensure objectivity and impartiality,” explained Ms. N. A Olujie, Head of Department (HOD), Consumer Complaints and Collaboration, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    Blaming the length of time taken sometimes in resolving cases on the warring parties, she said that if both parties agree to decisions taken early enough, the cycle time is reduced, otherwise it is prolonged until there is a resolution

    Investigation by this reporter however revealed that it takes about one month for cases to be resolved in SON if the parties concerned are available.

    At the Lagos State Consumer Protection Committee which also mediates between warring parties every fortnight, officials said that the length of the redress process depends on the nature of the problem and the availability of the concerned parties.

    “The only thing which can lengthen the process is when a key party in the matter is not available though the resolution committee sits only every fortnight due to the busy and demanding nature of the work of the members,” a source added.

    Usually, the mediating committee is made of top civil servants like the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, amongst others.

    Almost the same process of getting redress applies to all the agencies involved but the CPC has the legal mandate of also applying for compensation through the law court.

    At the apex federal government council, where consumers can seek for redress, the CPC, the first step an offended consumer is advised to take is to contact the seller while keeping all the records of the conservations.

  • Battle for consumers’ pockets

    Customers have become retailers’ toast. They are being wooed with low prices in order to boost sales in these hard times. How long will this romance last? TONIA ‘DIYAN asks.

    Raphael Chukwuma, an unemployed graduate, likes to look trendy.“The way you dress is the way you are addressed,” is a regular phrase  of his uncle who he grew up with.

    But looking trendy comes at a price. This is why Chukwuma, takes his time to window shop for the best prices on offer before making purchases from the stipends he gets  from his uncle and occasional tips from running errands in the neighbourhood. He structures his shopping around clearance sales, or promotional sales periods when goods, which ordinarily he couldn’t have been able to afford, are sold at discounted rates.

    “I notice a reduction on items at Twice as Nice,” said Chukwuma, who explained that he has equally noticed price reduction on items at Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Cash ‘n’ Carry and Life mate in recent weeks.

    Realising that pricing is the number one factor consumers consider when shopping, retailers are now evolving more strategies to outwit themselves. One of such is the introduction of rounds of price cuts, especially on competitive items. This development has made the market literarily a theatre of price war, as the contest for shoppers’ pocket intensifies among retailers.

    The retailers on their part, determined to remain competitive and avoid losing sales, are offering mouth-watering and irresistible discounts to existing and prospective customers. This is why some retailers have already taken their prices to an all time low, leaving competitors in the cold as they brace up with the need to adjust their price tags in favour of price conscious shoppers.

    Checks by The Nation Shopping revealed that the competition cuts across virtually all sectors in the retail segment. For instance, contenders in the clothing sector seek to win back budget-minded customers, who have migrated to discounting shops like retailers, who recently started lowering the prices of selected items and giving out 50 per cent discounts on its items purchased.

    Max store is also launching what is called a ‘significant’ reduction in prices of all items. It said the decision to slash prices is to satisfy their loyal customers and make new ones. Similarly, Red Tag is also offering discounts on several of its products. For instance, a plain designer Polo shirt with small logo, which used to sell for N8, 000 in the store now sells for N4, 000. A striped collar polo shirt used to be N4, 995; it is now N3, 245. A single breasted suit was N24, 495; it now sells for N14, 995.

    Accessories 2 die 4, situated in most of the Lagos malls, is offering 10 per cent discounts on all gifts items at the store. Grocery chains are doing much the same. Shoprite is giving a face-lift to its price structure and customer reward programme to grab back market share from competitors like Super Saver, Justrite, The Bazaar , Home Affairs supermarket and Grocery Bazaar, who are its major contenders in grocery business. It has also lowered the prices of perishables and products that are among the most purchased items in its shelf.

    In the Home and Furniture section, there is a renewed effort that seeks to win back budget-minded customers, who have migrated to outfits known to give good discounts such as Life mate and Bedmate, who recently lowered the prices of over 7, 000 items on its kitty and still discounting it. Also, Svengali another furniture outfit has launched what it called a ‘significant’ reduction in prices of often-purchased items, saying the decision is to satisfy customers and possibly entice new ones.

    Chief Executive Officer, Delightsome Gifts Concept, Modupe Shopeju said her store has stepped up its game to satisfy customers at this time of the year leading to its slashing of prices with generous discounts. Adding reasons for this development, Shopeju explained that the strategy will help the store sell all old stocks to allow new ones. “We also want our customers and prospective customers to experience sales of cheap, but quality items, which we always make available. We encourage shoppers to buy from our store today instead of our competitor’s store tomorrow,” she said.

    Explaining the rationale behind this development, the former Centre Manager of Leisure Mall, Surulere, Mrs Debola Majekodunmi, revealed that retailers have been lowering prices because they are aware that the consumer is price-conscious. Another Centre Manager of one of the Lagos malls, Sander Norman, explained that retailers decided to lower prices because they are aware that the consumer is price-conscious and because it is one of their many strategies to improve sales at strategic times. “Price reduction has to do with timing, planning and sacrifice; being ready to give out at cost price or below cost price most times,” he said.

    Sander cited Shoprite, saying that the store is priced about three per cent below the other grocery retail, and that is one reason it has gained a fraction of a point in market share since it entered the country in 2005 at the Palm in Lekki, Lagos, where it tops the grocery market.

    Investigations by The Nation Shopping show that retailers, who refused to be part of this strategy, are likely to experience a drop in demand and low sales. This is so because price conscious shoppers are already moving to discounters or are purchasing less-expensive items from such stores as substitute for items they are used to buying or would like to patronise.

    Some retailers have already taken their prices to an all time low, leaving competitors in the cold as they face the need to adjust their price tags in favour of price conscious shoppers. A retail analyst, Nnena Onwuka attested to the fact that price is the number one factor consumers consider when picking where to shop. According to her, it is the reason why more people are found in shopping places during promotional periods. “People actually look forward to times like this to make the best of it. Some save towards sales period, some follow the trend and are able to know when sales are on, some do constant checkse on items in-store to find out if these items are discounted aside finding out what is trendy or new in the market,” she explained.

    And shoppers are happier for this trend. “It is encouraging,” said Adewale Odunayo, a shopper, who bought dresses and shirts from Mango store, thinking it was best to wait for a time like this to shop. “I am enjoying every bit of shopping at this season. For instance, a David Wej shirt ordinarily sells for N6, 500, but its price has dropped to N5, 955 saving N505. The ongoing price slash made me buy more shirts than I planned,” he added.

    Even online stores woo customers daily with constant price changes to teach their ‘brick-and-mortar’ (traditional retail shops) competitors the need to use price intelligence solutions if they want to compete. Savvy retailers also monitor their online competitors’ prices every day to remain competitive and avoid losing sales.

    Yet, there are fears around this trend. Maku Oladele, who sells baby items at Alade Market in Ikeja, Lagos, confirmed this. He explained that the price war has become a permanent feature in the retail segment such that there has been one price war after another without making profit. For this reason, she submits that the trend may be very difficult to sustain.

    And some of these price wars are deliberately induced. Oladele revealed that big retailers still seem fully prepared for price battle as conventional festivals like Christmas and Valentine’s Day are no longer enough to keep up with the demand for discounts, so they create event out of nothing, just to initiate new price wars. This, she warns, may soon become a battle for survival for small retailers, most of who aren’t making much profit.

    Behavioural economists say promotions have a huge effect on the consumer. And that more than 40 per cent of groceries are bought on special offer, so regardless of what’s on a shopping list, the consumer ends up buying items on special offers. That means what the customer buys is always cheaper, or at least, not much more expensive than it would have been elsewhere.

    According to players in the industry, promotions appear more about point scoring against competitors than engaging with customers and their needs.

    Whether the trend gives good returns to the retailer is obviously not a concern for the shoppers, who is only interested in retailers offering the best quality at the lowest prices.

     

  • How consumers tamper with meters, by firm

    A Meter manufacturing firm has revealed how consu-mers tamper with their meters to avoid paying the correct bill.

    According to Mr Bola Balogun, managing director of Momas Nigeria Ltd, an indigenous meter firm, they deconstruct analogue meters and by-pass prepaid meters, to perpetrate the act.

    In an interview, Balogun accused some consumers of preventing distribution companies (DisCos) from ascertaining the quantity of energy they use.

    This, he said, prevents power firms from geting accurate readings on the meters and billings.

    He said many analogue meters were old and have outlived their usefulness, adding that the development made it easier for people to deconstruct them and further stop them from reading.

    Balogun said: “Analogue meters are no longer fashionable globally. They are obsolete and found to be ineffective means of gauging or measuring the volume of energy used by consumers. Once a meter is 10 years old, its work rate has reduced. Even, when such a meter is re-conditioned, it cannot read energy effectively. When this happens, consumers do all sorts of things on the meter. They open it, remove some parts and replace them with the ones that would not allow it to measure the level of energy consumed by its owners.’’

    According to him, pre-paid meters were introduced by power firms to reduce the stress of  reading meters, and further ensure that that consumers pay for the energy they use.

    Balogun said the reason for pre-paid meters has been defeated as people by-pass them. He said people who by-pass pre-paid meters, do so in order to stall efforts made by the DisCos to know how the meters work.

    He said when people by-pass pre-paid meters, they stop buying energy units on the meters, adding that the idea has provided the perpetrators of such crime an opportunity to access electricity without loading their meters.

    He said the issue has resulted in huge debt owed power firms, arguing that DisCos are advocating the use of smart meters in order to reduce the sharp practices carried out on the meters.

    The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and Ikeja Electric kicked against issues, such as meter by-pass, among others.

    They said untoward practices was inimical to the growth of the Discos and the power sector, urging customers to desist from the activities.