The Nation Newspaper

Tag: DISCO

  • POWER OUTRAGE: Disco worse than NEPA – Senator

  • Folly as wisdom by P/Harcourt DisCo

    SIR: There is an area in Port Harcourt designated Borikiri 11 by Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHED. This area comprises of an estimated 39,000 households.

    For about six weeks now, power supply to this area has been extremely erratic.

    Unfortunately, the reason is not because there is no power to distribute or because of dysfunctional equipment. At least two of the top officials of PHED responsible for supply to this area said Borikiri 11 is a “High revenue loss area”. So supply is kept to a minimum as a device to reduce revenue loss.

    A good number of power consumers here have pre-paid meters; these cannot be part of the customers responsible for revenue loss; could they? The authorities have no answer to that.

    If a subscriber on pre-paid meter pays for power and there is no supply, there should be a breach of contract whereby the power supply company is liable to pay damages should the matter go to court. This knowledge would, among reasonable men, make the power company realize that the method outline above for reducing their losses is counterproductive.

    The company has been advised to hire security personnel and additional civil hands, and cut off supply lines to non-paying clientele and power thieves and patrol the area for recalcitrant customers.

    In Rivers State, the young men at Obigbo resisted PHED revenue device by shutting down the Afam Station until the elders in the area prevailed on them to remove their barricades on the promise by PHED to resume supply on an acceptable scheme. The young men at Ogbu-Nu-Abali also reacted like the Obigbo youth with some damage to PHED equipment.

    One wonders: is PHED waiting for youth in Borikiri 11 to go on the rampage before adopting reason?

    This piece is written in the hope that some reasonable persons, especially in the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, the power ministry and in power company circles, who see this report, would take up the gauntlet and advise PHED to go on a course, better than the present.

     

    • Bapakaye I. Dibi, Esq.,

    Port Harcourt.

  • Benin DisCo to improve supply in Edo comunity

    Benin DisCo to improve supply in Edo comunity

    Residents of Usen community in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State will soon begin to enjoy improved power supply as the Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) will soon add 7.5MVA to the existing 7.5MVA transformer installed, Edo State BEDC Chief State Head Fidelis Obishai has said.

    He spoke at the third quarter information sharing/customer forum of BEDC held across select communities in Ologbo, Ulemo and Usen areas of Edo State. He apologised to the residents of Usen community for the poor power supply to the area.

    Obishai explained that the poor supply to the community existed before BEDC came on board, stressing that replacement cost for the transformer was huge. He noted that it was due to the inadequate capacity of the 7.5MVA transformer that resulted into massive load-shedding in the community.

    He urged members of the Ologbo community under Ikpoba/Okha Local Government to form an Electricity Committee that would help fast-track issues on power supply to their area, saying that the community was not relegated by BEDC because of its strategic position as an oil producing community.

    Edo State, he said, has over 1,000 communities in BEDC, and that the company gets less than the required amount of electricity from the national grid to guarantee regular power supply to those communities and that the power supply to BEDC comes from           Transmission Company in Benin and through Oghara in Delta State. He said: “Ologbo as an oil producing community is not relegated in the scheme of things.”

    He urged residents of Ulemo community in Oredo Local Government to pay their electricity bills promptly to enable BEDC embark on faulty equipment repairs in their area and attend to other issues with prompt dispatch.

    He described Ulemo community as a peaceful and most organised out of the locations chosen for the customer engagement sessions.

    Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) Research and Advocacy Executive Director, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, told customers that massive metering of customers, though desirable, was constrained by many factors, particularly energy theft through bypass, illegal connections and load diversion.

    He urged customers to report those bypassing their meters by way of whistle blowing, saying that the prevalence of bypass, especially in Edo was militating against metering.

    ”BEDC out of the 11 DisCos has the highest metering rollout in the last three years. People must know that electricity is no longer a free commodity or service like roads, which government is expected to provide. Electricity is also not cheap as BEDC like other DisCos buys electricity from the generation end at N68 and sells at N31.50, thereby underselling its product,” he said.

    Most of the communities complained about poor supply, estimated billing, metering, faulty meters and fallen poles.

    BEDC management advised the customers to make use of BEDC’s payment channels and ensure prompt payment of their electricity bills.

  • Kano DISCO refunds meter, transformer buyers

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kano Distribution Company (KEDCO), Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna has urged customers who replaced meters, transformers, poles and other electricity facilities to visit the company’s Kano headquarters for immediate refund.

    Gwamna who spoke during KEDCO’s parley with stakeholders and the House of Representatives Committee on Power, said KEDCO recently imported 70,000 transformers for free distribution.

    He said the idea behind the forum was to partner with the customers for improved service delivery, adding, “This is a special forum because it was convened at the instance of the House Committee on Power.”

    Speaking further, he said, “We have enough meters and transformers for distribution, there is no queue, and so, we appeal to customers to come forward for collection.”

    Gwamna who urged customers to desist from bribing KEDCO officials whenever they are performing their official duties, pointed out that the power outage was not deliberate.

    “In most cases,” he said, “power outage is beyond our control; it usually comes from TCN. They are not deliberate.”

    In his remarks, the chairman, House Committee on Power, Mr. Daniel Asuquo hailed KEDCO for putting in place one of the best facilities across the country, but observed that the company needed to expand to meet customers’ demand.

    “KEDCO is about the sixth distribution company that we have visited within this year. On our arrival, KEDCO management took us to some of their investments, which is to meet up their capital requirement they invested within the service year. We have seen most of their investments. We have seen the metering exercise they are doing; we have also seen the transformers; and we think that they have brought some innovations that are good for the people and the business.

    “We believe that if they expand on what they are doing, it will create better service for the people; and the issues we are already handling now is that of estimated billing and of course, exploitation of Nigerians would have been addressed once and for all,” he stated.

    He added that, “we are about 15 members of the House of Representatives that came for this assignment. We are here in Kano the headquarters of Kano Distribution Company (KEDCO), to carry out our oversight function in the power sector.

    “We are also here to arbitrate on the resolution of the House on the issues of metering gap, estimated billing, and infrastructural decay within the networks of DISCO companies that amounts to bad service and exploitation of Nigerians, which Nigerians are complaining about.”

  • Enugu Disco is a joke

    SIR: Umuoji people in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have been in darkness for a period of over two months.  The abusive intermittent supply of power, needless to say, has amplified the suffering of the people from the economic recession.  Unlike in the past when residents were ridiculed with nonsensical excuses for power failure, the authorities currently left them in the dark without communication.

    Earlier this year, a circular was forwarded to the various Umuoji village meetings from the President General of Umuoji Improvement Union (UIU).  The letter informed the villages to conduct a census of all the residents using electricity.  It stated that it will be their responsibility to collect money for the amount of electricity consumed every month by users.  This arrangement ensued from a meeting held by UIU in which an official from Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) was invited.  The ingenious plan agreed upon during the meeting was that EEDC will send a bill with bulk amount to the town at the end of each period.  Villages will be expected to share the bill amount among them and collection per consumer will be done by them on behalf of EEDC.  Money collected will be paid to EEDC by the Umuoji Electricity Committee.

    The sad fact that UIU agreed to this thoughtless arrangement with EEDC speaks volume of whose interest it is serving.  Not unless there are details left out from its circular like how the recruited villagers will be paid for their untrained for job, the process is bound to be fraught with gross inefficiency and inevitably, leave room for corruption to fester.  It is a damn shame for EEDC to unscrupulously abandon their responsibility.

    Soon after this reckless proposal was circulated, the entire town of Umuoji was plunged into total darkness. The protracted power outage was not seen as unusual by residents until a member of Umuoji Igwe-In-Council sent an announcement to various Umuoji WhatsApp forums that EEDC has disconnected electricity supply to the town for lack of payment of their bills.  Members could not help but to protest on various WhatsApp forums against the blanketed punishment of all electricity users for the offence of some who defaulted.

    Chairman of the Electricity Committee intervened in the WhatsApp forums discourse.  He assuaged the tension. The initiative he took to mediate between the community and EEDC resulted in power supply being restored. His agreement with EEDC was that, going forward, electricity users should pay the amount specified on their bills every month.  The chairman was generally applauded for his diligence. However, news about payment of the full bill left a bitter taste in consumer’s mouth.  Explanation by EEDC that they came to the payment formula by sharing the total amount of power load to the community by the population of users was not acceptable. Since there is no way of ascertaining each consumer’s usage, lumping a poor widow who uses two light bulbs in her hut with a rich person who lights a mansion with same bill seems totally unfair.

    Our woes are unending.  For more than two weeks, we have barely had electricity in Umuoji.  The privatization of electricity supply is leading up to a big fraud. Once again, Nigerians are disappointed by government inability to provide basic services.

     

    • Pius Okaneme,

    Umuoji, Anambra State.

  • Benin Disco and Ahunwan Relief II transformer

    SIR: We have been without power since March 4, when the transformer feeding us failed at about 10:43pm. All efforts to make Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) get us a higher capacity transformer (500KVA) has failed. Our mini substation is Ahunwan Relief II Transformer situated along Ighomo-Aihie Street by Eregie Street Junction, off Uwasota Road, Ugbowo Benin City, Edo State.

    After the meeting held between some selected members of the community and Fidelis Obishai, Engr. Agboola both of BEDC on Thursday May 18, at their premises at Akpakpava Road, BEDC has still not thought it fit to replace the failed transformer. Given the fact that there is a failed transformer which would have necessitated temporary closure of all analogue bills, BEDC has continued to manufacture estimated bills to the affected customers.

    Take the case of Mrs. V.M. Agbro of No. 16 Edobor Okundaye Lane with Old A/C No. 443838133401, EBMS Acct. No. 0000131817. Her outstanding for March which is for February bill period was N40,242.14 but the list brought before the community in May for outstanding debtors shows she is owing N45,666.52 . This is same for most customers using analogue meters feeding from that failed transformer.  The transformer in question failed on the March 4, and according to BEDC they take their monthly readings between 27th and 29th of every month.  It is clear from this list that consumers are still debited despite the absence of a transformer in the area. So in less than seven days, she consumed over N5, 000. This is absurd for a non-commercial account.

    It is also unfortunate that the Customer Complaints Section does not liaise with the management for faults reported and resolutions taken. A resident of the community, James Ojo, called the Customer Complain Centre on March 6, to lay a complaint on the failed transformer. He was given a ticket No. of 130594. He called back later towards the end of April only to be told that it has been resolved since April 10. This is not true.

    It is obvious BEDC does not have provisions for upgrade of transformers; rather they wait for the transformer to fail before putting the debt burden on the community. This is the case we are currently faced with at Ahunwan Relief II.

    It is surprising that an organization such as BEDC does not to know the coverage area of a particular transformer. This is because the sum of N11 million allegedly owed under Ahunwan Relief II are anomalies. We had to sort out the houses and streets feeding from Ahunwan Relief II with BEDC marketers who should had been the ones to do so from the list they brought. This is unprofessional.

    There is a particular building along Ighomo Aihie Street that has been dilapidated for over 10 years. Is it not expedient that the marketer place that account on temporary closure pending further actions? Rather, BEDC kept billing the house knowing that the landlord was dead. Now someone just renovated that building only to discover that the bills kept coming in. We also noticed that some of the so-called debtors from the list provided by BEDC had migrated to PPM without any payment plan on their accrued debts. Yet they kept the analogue bill running unknown to the customer. Take the case of R.O. Slater of No. 6 Charity Ola Street with Old Account Number 443838122701 EBMS Account Number 0000131794 who migrated from Analogue to PPM for almost two years yet his analogue bill kept counting without his knowledge.  Now who should be blamed for this mistake?

     

    • Sir S.E. Ugiagbe,

    Ugbowo, Benin City.

  • Enugu Disco and Aba electricity consumers

    SIR: One of the essences of public corporation is to provide essential services to the public at a subsidized rate. However, if the underlying motive of privatizing the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN), was to break monopoly, that motive is good as useless. For example, in Aba where the multi-billion Geometric Power Project could have provided a better and strong alternative, the project was highly sabotaged in a manner which strongly is not devoid of politics. Were Geometric allowed to come on stream, residents of Aba, the Small and Medium Enterprises-hub would have been rescued from the terrible claws of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, which holds sway in the South-east.

    The activities of EEDC in Aba are both despicable and exploitative. It is highly inimical to commercial and artisanship spirits of the town. The attitude of the field workers of the establishment- who are arguably permanent staff- is irritating. They are impunity epitomized: disconnecting consumers at will even when there are clear evidences of payment of bills; failure to issue disconnection notices; indiscriminate re-connection charges without issuance of receipts as evidence of payment. These field workers are lords unto themselves and you dare not question their authority.

    The billing system is nothing to write home about. They implement what is called “estimated or crazing billing system” and the irony is that consumers may go some months without electricity but are duty-bound to pay bills. It is a common knowledge that the payment for products is to derive utility, which is the satisfaction derived from consuming a product. For EEDC, “utility” is a “strange concept”.

    The rural communities are not spared in this madness. They are under what is called “the bulk billing system” which runs upwards of N600, 000 .00 per month. More worrisome is the fact that these rural communities are peopled by predominantly peasant farmers whose means of livelihood are inadequate to sustain them. The situation has forced communities and individuals to drag EEDC to court. But this option is as well frustrating because of the delay associated with our judicial system. Some communities that do not consider legal actions as viable options have resorted to self- help by physically manhandling EEDC staff.

    EEDC is urged to rejig their activities in Aba as not to constitute a clog in the wheel of progress of the city as an SME hub of the nation.

     

    • Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu,

    Aba, Abia State.

  • Ekiti backs DisCo

    The Ekiti State Commissioner for Public Utilities and Infrastructure, Mr. Deji Adesua, has assured Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) of the government’s support.

    He spoke at a town hall meeting at Ido-Ekiti.

    The Commissioner urged of the public to  pay its electricity bills promptly.

    In a statement by BEDC, Adesua said the plea became imperative as only prompt payment of bills could facilitate the realisation of its objectives.

    He noted that timely payment of  bills would enable BEDC to serve the people better since it is only one of the four states the company’s serves.

    He urged the BEDC to outsource the procurement of prepaid meters to licensed contractors, saying it is the only way to ascertain customers’ actual consumption.

    The firm’s Chief State Head for Ondo/Ekiti, Mr. Ernest Edgar, said BEDC is entitled to only nine per cent of power  generated in the country and that this would be shared among the four states under the company’s coverage.

    He explained the various payment channels available to customers. He listed them as Point of Sales (PoS), commercial banks, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) or online payments.

    He advised customers not to give cash out, but rather use any of the channels.

    Edgar said as the country explores the economic diversification for  survival, following the  drop in the prices of crude oil, electricity could provide an alternative, especially in  boosting agriculture.

    BEDC, he noted, was willing to partner government, citizens and  investors on economic re-generation.

    In a presentation titled: Electricity as an agricultural enabler in Ekiti State, Edgar highlighted the uses of electricity in agriculture, which includes fertiliser production, irrigation, storage and agro-allied industries.

    According to him, the various roles the BEDC will play in agricultural industrialisation of the state will include construction of dedicated feeders embedded generation and advisory services on locations where power is assured.

  • Enugu Disco donates books to varsities

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), in partnership with Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), a non-governmental organisation, has donated books and computers to 15 tertiary institutions in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. The institutions were nominated by their states.

    Speaking at the donation held in Oraifite in Anambra State, SEOF’s co-ordinator, Tony Obi praised EEDC for the partnership to improve education. He urged the beneficiary institutions to ensure that the materials are used to improve the quality of education and research.

    EEDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Dickerman, said the gesture was in line with the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, which he said was aimed at contributing towards the development of its host community.

    Dickerman said: “We know the importance of education and we have obligation and responsibility to ensure that our business is not just to provide electricity to communities, we also have task to help and support the communities in which we are a part of.

    “We believe education is key to development of any society; we are honoured to be part of this donation and we are committed to take active role in the development of education of the five South-eastern states in which we do our business.”

    “Besides lighting up homes, companies and industries, we can also light up minds. We believe in supporting social programmes under our CSR initiatives by partnering with such progressive foundation, such as SOEF.”

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr Beatrice Okonkwo, hailed the gesture, saying it was a good example of life-changing CSR.

    The governor said: “Government alone cannot provide everything needed for the education, and it is usually a great relief when corporate establishments like EEDC come out to contribute to the effort.”

    The governor stressed said the donation of the education materials would go a long way in improving quality and standard of education in the region.

     

     

  • Benin DisCo new billing system ready

    Benin DisCo new billing system ready

    To provide better billing information, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has completed the migration of customers to a new platform – Electricity Billing Management System (EBMS).

    The company in a document, made available to The Nation, said  it began the use of the new system for customers in Edo “effective March 2016.”

    “In order to provide better billing information to customers, BEDC has commenced migration to a new billing system named Electricity Billing Management System (EBMS). Effective March 2016, the new billing format commenced for all Maximum Demand (MD) customers and all other categories of customers in Edo. Customers in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti will be moved to the new billing format as from April 2016,” the company said.

    Sensitising the customers on the new billing system, the firm said reading of customers’ meter was expected to be done monthly or at least once in three months. But whenever a reading is not done in any month, an adjustment will be used with the subsequent reading, it added.

    Also, where a customer’s meter is found to be obsolete or incorrect, the meter reading will be suspended and direct/estimated billing will be utilised prior to the replacement of the meter. Such suspension will be notified to the customer via a letter.

    “All customers under the estimated billing will have their estimation done based on Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) approved cluster billing average methodology. Where bypass is noticed during meter reading and/or billing period, the read information may be suspended and customer billed appropriately on direct/estimation using NERC cluster billing methodology,” it said.

    The programmes of the company including its billing system had earlier received accolades from customers including civil society activist, Reverend Olu Martins.

    Martins had at a forum in Benin explained to residents of communities in Egor area of Benin, Edo State, that the reason they are experiencing power outages arising from inadequate supply, was that BEDC is facing challenges due to inability of generating companies (GenCos) to generate more electricity for domestic and industrial needs.

    Martins, who spoke during a town hall meeting held in Ugbowo, said there was a great challenge of power generation in Nigeria with less than 5,000 megawatts (mw) to a population of 170 million, stressing that the current energy output of 1,500mw was a reflection of the perennial energy crisis that was yet to be addressed.