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Tag: EKEDC

  • EKEDC enhances customer experience with system upgrade

    EKEDC enhances customer experience with system upgrade

    Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has announced a system upgrade to elevate customer experience and improve service delivery. During the upgrade, from 6 pm Friday to 6 am on October 21, token purchases and loading will be temporarily unavailable.

    This initiative is part of EKEDC’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency and ensure reliable electricity supply. The new system will deliver faster, more seamless transactions and provide customers with better tools to manage their consumption, aligning with EKEDC’s mission to uplift in the sector.

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    “We are committed to not just maintaining, but continually raising the bar for electricity distribution in Nigeria,” said Mrs Rehkiat Momoh, EKEDC’s acting chief executive. “This upgrade is one step we are taking to ensure customers get the best service.”

    To reduce inconvenience, EKEDC urges customers to buy and load tokens ahead. The care team will be on hand to assist and give support.

  • Court adjourns suit against EKEDC’s alleged arbitrary billings to Nov 5

    Court adjourns suit against EKEDC’s alleged arbitrary billings to Nov 5

    Lagos magistrate court sitting in Apapa magisterial district has adjourned the suit challenging the alleged arbitrary billings by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to November 5.

    Traditional ruler of Otumara community in Lagos Mainland of Lagos State, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, had dragged the EKEDC before the court over allegations of arbitrary electricity billing amounting to millions of naira served on his residence and the latter’s non-issuance of prepaid metre to him since 2018.

    In suit No: MCA/1816/CIV/2024, Kalejaiye through his counsel, M.O Sanusi also challenged the disconnection of electricity supply to his residence since January, 2024.

    He prayed for an order of mandatory injunction directing the defendant to restore and reconnect electricity to the claimant’s residence pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    He also asked for an order restraining the EKEDC from disconnecting the claimant’s property pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory injunction and for such further orders as this honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.   

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    However, absence of the defendant at the resumed hearing on September 25, 2024, stalled proceedings as the EKEDC failed to honour the court summon served on it by the court sheriff.

    Consequently, counsel to the claimant, Sanusi told the court, “The sheriff told me that the defendant didn’t respond to the court summons. I therefore appeal to your honour for a further date for them to respond.”  

    Meanwhile, Kalejaiye has lamented the failure of the defendant to comply with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Order on the issuance of prepaid meter to electricity consumers.

    He stated: “On the 13rd of February, 2018, I applied to the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Eko Electricity Distribution Company in Marina requesting for a prepaid metre but to my dismay, for several years, I got no response from them while they continue to serve my residence outrageous monthly bill.  

    “Consequent to this, I wrote several letters complaining about these exploitative tendencies yet nothing was achieved. They continue with this trend without making available the prepaid metre I had applied for. Despite this, I ensure that I pay a monthly electricity bill which in my estimation corresponds to the electricity consumed. It however came to me as a surprise when officials of the EKEDC without any prior notice disconnected my residence in spite of regular payment of my monthly electricity consumption.”

  • Why we cut supply to UNILAG, by EKEDC

    Why we cut supply to UNILAG, by EKEDC

    The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) yesterday explained why it cut off power supply to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka,  despite the payment of N180 million by the institution as electricity bill for July.

    The university’s management  appealed to members of its community to show understanding over the power outage on campus, lamenting  that it was disconnected despite on-going talks with EKEDC.

    In a statement by its General Manager, Corporate Communications and Strategy, Babatunde Lasaki, a copy of which was made available to The Nation, the EKEDC said that UNILAG was disconnected from the power grid on Tuesday due to recurring accumulated outstanding payments.

    The statement reads: “It is imperative to clarify that this payment only partially defrays a small fraction of the outstanding debt owed by the university, which significantly exceeds the amount paid and currently stands at over N1 billion, that is N1,035,197,446.43.

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    “Also, in adherence to regulatory requirements and procedures, disconnection notices were served at different times to the university and principal staff of the institution. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Folasade Ogunsola; Director of Works, Engineer Olaniyi and Head, Technical Department, Engineer Ajayi were among those engaged several times by EKEDC team, led by the GM, Technical Services, Engineer Femi Olaoye; AGM, Key Customer Group, Abdulkadir AbduRahman and the Ijora District Business Manager, Clement Sanyaolu.

    “After exhausting all negotiation options without reaching a satisfactory resolution, the institution was disconnected on August 27, 2024. We understand the inconvenience caused by this situation and appeal to the members of the university community for their understanding.

    “EKEDC is committed to providing reliable electricity services, but this is contingent on the timely settlement of bills and adherence to agreed-upon terms.”

    Lasaki further explained that UNILAG’s migration from Band B to Band A tariff followed due process, with adequate engagements and communication regarding the implications.

    The tariff increase reflects the institution’s average 23 hours of supply availability, aligning with Band A criteria, Lasaki said.

  • Apply for prepaid meters, EKEDC urges customers

    Apply for prepaid meters, EKEDC urges customers

    Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has urged its unmetered customers to register for prepaid meters to eliminate estimated billing.

    The Acting Chief Executive Officer of EKEDC, Rekhiat Momoh, made this appeal during a Customers’ Engagement forum in ljora Business Unit, yesterday, in Lagos. The areas includes: Otto, Iganmu, Ijora, Alaka, Iponri, Ebute Metta, Adekunle, Iwaya, Otto, Onike, Surulere, Yaba and Ajegunle.

    Momoh, who was represented by General Manager, Commercial, EKEDC, Samuel Edoho, said that the essence of the meeting was to collaborate with customers.

    She reiterated that the Disco was committed to active efforts to safeguard lives, properties and equipment.

    Momoh said that the town hall meeting also created an avenue to interface with customers and address issues confronting various communities under EKEDC’s network.

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    She said that the EKEDC management’s continued stakeholder engagement had yielded good results on the spot feedback.

    She said that the engagement had also fast-tracked the review for possible solution challenges in the areas of power supply, vandalism and other factors mitigating service delivery to customers.

    The EKEDC boss said that the company had put enough plans in place, aimed toward bridging the metering gap within its network by providing smart meters to all electricity consumers.

    According to her, the Disco is working towards clearing all backlogs of unmetered customers while payments paid to purchase the meter will be refunded through tokens.

    “Customers who are yet to register are advised to visit EKEDC’s official website and fill out the application form to benefit from the ongoing massive metering.

    “We have given matching orders to all meter vendors to install all backlogs with immediate effect to enable all customers to have access to prepaid meters,” she said.

    On meter installer extortion, Momoh warned electricity consumers to desist from paying meter installers before their meters are installed.

    She said that the majority of meter vendors and installers had been sanctioned for requesting additional fees on meter installation.

    “Meter installers are not meant to request a dime from customers for meter installation.  No installers should be given additional fees on installation. It’s not in the meter arrangements,” she added.

    Momoh said that the company would soon begin a special metering arrangement under the Presidential Metering Initiative, in which Band A customers would be the first beneficiaries before other Bands.

    On service delivery, Momoh said that the company was passionate about listening to customers’ complaints and challenges with a bid to proffer speedy resolutions.

    She said that her team often addressed the issues raised by customers and promised to get them resolved and subsequently improve DisCo’s customer satisfaction index.

    She assured the customers that the company had already embarked on many projects to improve power supply and prompt resolutions to complaints, and specifically encouraged them to embrace the metering scheme to put the issue of estimated billing to rest.

    She advised customers against patronising unauthorised entities to get meters and report any case of unscrupulous elements to the company’s whistleblowing channels.

    The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Babatunde Lasaki, equally reiterated that customers should desist from illegal activities such as meter bypass, meter tampering, vandalism, and assault of staff, which affect not only the DisCo but the entire power industry.

    According to him, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved penalties for these criminal offences and EKEDC will ensure that offenders face the wrath of the law for any of these crimes.

    ‘‘Every customer has a responsibility to protecting the industry,” he added.

    The Chairman, Ijora Customers Forum, Adeleye Abolade, urged customers to take responsibility for the transformers and ensure all EKEDC’s properties are well protected.

    Abolade tasked community leaders to ensure energy thefts and vandalism in their communities were brought to books.

    He, however, appealed to the management of Eko DisCo to improve their feedback mechanism and time on resolutions.

    According to him, the DisCo should be commended for improved service delivery but should also ensure effective metering and replacement of damaged equipment.

  • Lagos monarch drags EKEDC to court over ‘crazy’ bills, electricity disconnection

    Lagos monarch drags EKEDC to court over ‘crazy’ bills, electricity disconnection

    The traditional ruler of the Otumara community in Lagos Mainland of Lagos State, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, has dragged the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) before a magistrate court in Lagos over what he termed as ‘crazy billings’ and the latter’s refusal to grant his request a prepaid metre at his residence since 2018.

    In a suit No: MCA/1816/CIV/2024 between the claimant, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye and the defendant, Eko Electricity Distribution Company dated July 30th, 2024, Kalejaiye through his counsel, M.O Sanusi, alleged that the defendant issued estimated bills amounting to millions of naira to his residence without making available prepaid metre.

    The suit was also instituted over the disconnection of the electricity supply to his residence in January 2024.

    While describing the estimated billing regime by the defendant as arbitrary, unconscionable and not in accordance with the extant law, Sanusi, asked for an order of mandatory injunction directing the defendant to restore and connect electricity to the claimant’s residence pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

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    He also asked for an order restraining the EKEDC from disconnecting the claimant’s property pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory injunction and for such further orders as this honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.  

    Also, the claimant, Kalejaiye while lamenting his plight alleged that the defendant had failed to comply with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Order on the issuance of prepaid meters to electricity consumers.

    He stated: “On the 13th of February 2018, I wrote an application to the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Eko Electricity Distribution Co. in Marina requesting for a prepaid metre but for several years, no positive response was heard from them.

    Sequel to this, I wrote several reminders complaining about the exploitative nature of the estimated billing systems yet nothing was achieved. Only for them to serve my residence bills amid the epileptic electricity supply in my neighbourhood.

    They continued with this trend without making available the prepaid metre I had applied for. Despite this, I ensure that I pay a monthly electricity bill which is commensurate to what I consume every month. It however came to me as a surprise when officials of the EKEDC without any prior notice disconnected my residence from electricity in spite of regular payment of my monthly electricity consumption.”  

    The Chief Magistrate Olanrewaju Olatunji adjourned the case to 25th of September, 2024 for mention while ordering that status quo be maintained.

     “The defendant should be put on notice. Cased adjourned to 25th day of September, 2023 for mention” the Magistrate ordered.

  • EKEDC apologises for service disruptions during IT system upgrade

    EKEDC apologises for service disruptions during IT system upgrade

    Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has apologised to its customers for the frustration and inconvenience caused by recent disruptions to its token vending services.

    In a statement, the company apologised to all its valued customers who have been affected.

    It explained that the disruptions are a result of a critical system upgrade that is currently underway.

    “We are implementing a new, state-of-the-art enterprise system that will significantly improve our customers’ ability to manage their electricity consumption, both at home and remotely through their phones. This advanced system will provide greater convenience, transparency, and control over electricity usage,” it said.

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    EKEDC says that while it is making every effort to minimize disruptions, the complexity of the upgrade has unfortunately led to some technical difficulties and outages.

    “We deeply regret the distress this has caused our customers, both in their homes and businesses. Our entire team, including management and technical experts, is working tirelessly to resolve these issues and restore full functionality to our vending platform as quickly as possible. We are committed to keeping our customers informed about the progress of this upgrade and will provide regular updates through our website, social media channels, and customer service centres.

    “We understand the importance of reliable electricity services, and we are deeply grateful for your patience and understanding during this transitional period. We are confident that the new system will significantly enhance your overall experience with EKEDC and provide you with even greater value and convenience. For any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service representatives through our 24/7 helpline or visit our website for more information.

    “EKEDC is committed to providing efficient electricity services to our customers. We continuously invest in technology and infrastructure to enhance the customer experience and support the sustainable development of our communities,” it added.

  • EKEDC laments vandalism of equipment

    EKEDC laments vandalism of equipment

    The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has decried the recurrent vandalism of infrastructure across the power sector, which it said leads to massive, unplanned and prolonged outages within the sector. The Company noted vandalism and equipment theft are the leading causes of blackouts in the country.

    The General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC Babatunde Lasaki, in a statement obtained by The Nation, commended communities for their vigilance over electricity equipment, which he said has in some instances, led to the apprehension of vandals.

    Such efforts, he maintained, recently led to the arrest of two vandals within the Satellite Town area of Lagos who were apprehended vandalising a 2500KVA  transformer.

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    The vandals, he explained have since been sentenced to 12 and 18 months imprisonment with hard labour on three count.

    Extolling the men of the Nigerian Police Force for swinging promptly into action at all times in cases bordering on the utility’s equipment vandalism, Lasaki expressed the Company’s frustrations on the spate of vandalism in its franchise area and the power sector at large.

    “It is extremely disheartening that we still have to deal with the issue of vandalism at this point when we are directing all our efforts into improving electricity supply to our customers. Vandalism is halting the wheels of progress in the power sector and makes us use resources meant for new projects to replace already existing ones that have been vandalised or outrightly stolen. We will not relent in our efforts and will ensure that vandals face the full wrath of the law, and no vandal will be spared. Our equipment is there for all our customers to enjoy uninterrupted and stable power supply,” he assured.

    He called on other communities to emulate the Satellite Town Community leaders and people to partner with the EKEDC and report suspected vandalism cases to the firm or the nearest law enforcement agency

  • EKEDC’s Light Up Agbara to power industrial clusters

    EKEDC’s Light Up Agbara to power industrial clusters

    Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) is poised to boost power supply to industrial clusters with the launch of its Light Up Agbara Initiative at Agbara, Ogun State, today.

    The project is part of Presidential Power Initiative, spearheaded by EKEDC with key stakeholders in power, including FGN Power Company, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Millwater Limited, and Transmission Company of Nigeria.

    This partnership underscores public and private sectors’ commitment to drive economic growth and industrial development through reliable electricity supply.

    EKEDC chair, Dere Otubu, noted the project would address the energy needs of Agbara Industrial Hub.

    “Light Up Agbara represents a step forward in our efforts to provide stable and reliable power to industries and communities in our franchise area. This initiative aligns with our vision to leverage innovative solutions to enhance service  and customer satisfaction.”

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    Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, acting chief executive director, reiterated the company’s dedication to the project. She underscored its significance in driving development and improving quality of life for stakeholders.

    She said: “As we embark on Light Up Agbara Project, our focus is on delivering benefits to residents and businesses in Agbara. EKEDC is committed to providing reliable and efficient power, and we are confident this initiative will transform lives, businesses, and drive economic growth.”

    Kenny Anuwe, managing director of FGN Power Company, noted: “We are proud to partner EKEDC and others. This underscores our commitment to sustainable development and ensuring reliable power to industrial clusters.”

    The collaboration unlocks opportunities for economic growth and industrialisation in Agbara and environs. By ensuring uninterrupted power supply, the project boosts productivity, create jobs, and drive economic development.

  • NERC upgrades 60 more EKEDC Feeders to Band A

    NERC upgrades 60 more EKEDC Feeders to Band A

    • Firm complies with tariff cut

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the upgrade of 60 additional feeders of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), bringing the total feeders in the utility’s Band A to 134.

     The upgrade follows a review of the feeders in line with their capabilities to give the customers classified under the feeder at least 20 hours of power supply daily.

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    In a statement, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of EKEDC, Babatunde Lasaki, said the company reiterated its capacity to accommodate more feeders in the Band A category subject to the commission’s approval. He further stated the EKEDC’s commitment to improving its services by leveraging technology and improving turnaround time on fault resolution.

  • EKEDC chief urges districts to improve service

    EKEDC chief urges districts to improve service

    Chief Executive Officer of Eko Electricity Distribution Company,  (EKEDC), Rekhiat Momoh, has pledged to foster closer connections with employees.

     She spoke after a tour of the company’s six districts in Lagos State, covering Lekki, Ibeju, Ijora, Festac, Ojo, Ajah, and Agbara.

    Momoh engaged directly with employees, emphasising the significance of their commitment to customer service.

    She underscored importance of understanding the success achieved in each district and areas of further  improvement.

    Momoh noted the dialogue would empower employees with a renewed purpose and direction in serving customers.

    In her address, she outlined EKEDC’s vision for growth, articulating the path toward becoming the premier electricity distribution company and a beacon of excellence.

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    She reiterated the company’s commitment to delivering reliable and efficient services while embracing innovation to meet consumer needs.

    Momoh said each district should enhance handling of downtimes to improve ATC&C (Average Technical and Commercial Collection) score, referencing the record in ATC&C, which reduced to 10.51 per cent in March from 30.87 per cent in February.

    She noted:  “Our journey is anchored on our dedication to excellence, growth, and efficiency. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering value to communities.”

    The tour testifies to EKEDC’s approach to engaging with employees and stakeholders, believing in the potential of people and importance of fostering relationships.