The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Eko Electricity Distribution Company

  • Lagos community accuses EKEDC officials of overbilling

    Lagos community accuses EKEDC officials of overbilling

    • By Halimah Balogun

    Residents of Olowogbowo Community, Lagos State have petitioned the Managing Director/CEO of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) over alleged illegal activities and overbilling by two of its officials.

    In separate petitions signed by the Acting Chairman of Olowogbowo Community Development Association(CDA), Adebowale Shodeinde, and the Secretary of Olowogbowo Stakeholders Forum, Sulaimon Adeshina, the community accused Ajele Business Manager of EKEDC, Sunday Oyejide, and Zonal Distribution Supervisor Ajayi Adeyemi, of terrorising residents and engaging in overbilling.

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

    The community alleged that the duo removed the fuse from five transformers, plunging the community into darkness for over three weeks, despite residents paying their August bills.

  • No prepaid metres, no payment, Mushin residents tell EKEDC

    Hundreds of Mushin residents in Lagos have admonished Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to provide them with prepaid metre or they would not pay more than N4,000 per house.
    They told the electricity distribution company that failure to comply with their demand would mean no further payment to the company.
    The residents made known their grievances through a communique at the end of a meeting between the residents and their representatives, Hon. Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, member of House of Representatives and Hon. Olayiwola Sobur popularly referred to as ‘Omititi’, member of the state House of Assembly (Mushin 2 constituency).
    The meeting, which took place at Mushin Local Government Secretariat on Tuesday, was to find amicable resolution to the alleged extortion and harassment of residents of the area by EKEDC.
    Secretary of the Citizens Group, Mr Osinowo Adekunle, narrated their ordeals in the hands of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), saying the electricity company disconnected the Daleko Market for about one year.
    Adekunle explained the firm went ahead to arrest youths who severally complained against its poor services.
    He said: ” The EKEDC came up with a prank by arresting an old man and woman accusing the duo of beating up officials of their company.
    “They went to the home of Mr Muniru Lawal at 14, Yusuf Street, Papa Ajao. Baba and Mama are of age 78 and 76. The two old citizens were arrested and arraigned in the court and thereafter sent to Kirikiri prison for doing nothing.
    “How can EKEDC claim the two old citizens beat up its official?”
    Adekunle stated the solution to the overbilling was an installation of prepaid meters in all houses in the constituency, saying that if the electricity company fails to supply prepaid meters in the constituency, the community would not be paying more than N4,000 per building.
    The Secretary however, reeled out the resolutions of the community which includes distribution of prepaid meters, cancellation of all accumulated bills in the community, reconnection of Daleko and Amu Plank markets.

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    Also included in the resolutions are that there should not be any isolated areas in darkness rather all areas in the constituency should be disconnected and those police officers should not accompany EKEDC officials while embarking on their official duties.
    He added that all their transformers should be attached to certificated meters and that the certificated meters must be read every month to determine the actual usage.
    Also, speaking with journalists, the Executive Chairman of Mushin Local government, Hon. Emmanuel Bamgboye, disclosed that the local government had made efforts to resolve their challenges, saying that there was a time he led the residents on protest to the House of Assembly to express their dissatisfaction.
    Bamgboye stated further that it was clear that the EKEDC finds it difficult to provide the services expected of them, stressing that the Minister of Power had promised the community the distribution of prepaid meters.
    The facilitator of the meeting, Hon. Omtiti who is representing Mushin constituency II said during his welcome address that “my office has received series of complaints and petitions from my constituents in respect of EKEDC and its officials bothering on issues of lack of adequate pre-paid metres, crazy and estimated d billings.
    “The objective of this interactive meeting is to provide a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges faced by consumers in Mushin and provide practical solutions at addressing the issue,” he said.
     Ayinla popularly called BYA assured the residents that he would table the matter before the Lower Chamber in Abuja.
    He also said the minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has given assurance he would look into it, saying however that the current electioneering was causing the delay.

  • ‘Settle your electricity bills to enjoy stable power’

    Just as the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has restated its commitment to uninterrupted power supply during the yuletide season and beyond, electricity consumers have been urged to reciprocate and pay their bills promptly.

    Mr Godwin Idemudia, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, who made the call on Wednesday, urged consumers to pay their bills promptly to avoid power supply disruptions.

    EKEDC’s operational area covers Lagos mainland, island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah.

    Idemudia said the company had put in place measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply within its operational territory during the Yuletide and after.

    He said the company was aware of the high expectations of customers to enjoy steady power supply during the festive period.

    “EKEDC has put in place measures to ensure that the customers’ hopes are not dashed.

    “We want to appeal to consumers under the network that should there be any spark from the pole or fault from transformer, our technical crew is on standby in all our business units.

    “Our technical crew will work throughout the holiday to rectify electrical faults so that customers can enjoy the holiday.

    “Our customer care lines are working 24/7, so customers should feel free to contact them if there is any electrical fault in their area,” Idemudia said.

    The EKEDC’s spokesman, however, warned against vandalism and tampering with equipment in the zone as it could cause deaths or serious injuries.

    He said such acts were responsible for incessant power outage and unnecessary financial expenses on the part of the company.

    He said: “It is illegal and dangerous for anyone to trade, live or work near electricity installations or even tamper with them.

    “The company is determined to deliver power supply to its customers in a very safe manner; we will collaborate with communities to safeguard electricity installations.”

    Idemudia advised consumers to ensure that their homes and business premises were properly wired and earthed only by approved technicians to ensure safety of lives and property.

    The general manager expressed the company’s felicitations to customers and advised them to be security and safety-conscious always especially during the Yuletide and New Year celebrations.

    NAN

  • Why EKEDC threw us into darkness, by communities

    Some communities in Ilasamaja in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State have accused the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) of throwing them into darkness for their refusal to pay what they called “outrageous bills.”

    The Igbehin, Ifetedo, Ishokan and Ifesowapo communities said they had been without light for three weeks, alleging that the blackout is a ploy to force them to pay the bills.

    At a meeting held under the aegis of Igbehin Community Development Association (CDA), at the weekend, they said they had complained to EKEDC about their bills without anything being done.

    Igbehin CDA Chairman Oladele Dasaolu said the only way out was for EKEDC to provide them prepaid meters.

    The vice chairman, Elder Emmanuel Odenusi, said they would fight for their right till it is granted.

    General Secretary Kayode Ogunbola said the communities were initially disconnected for about six days, explaining that before the disconnection, they had no light for over two weeks.

    Ogunbola said: “Our issue is that EKEDC gives us estimated bills and we are against the billing system because they want us to pay for what we did not use.

    “This cannot work for us in this community. We have been complaining about these outrageous bills for a long time but, they kept bringing it. We have tried all efforts to make them see reasons why we cannot pay the bills, but they refused to grant our request.

    “We asked for prepaid meters and we told them that while we are awaiting for the prepaid meters; both of us should agree on how much we will be paying, but they did not listen to us.

    “For over two weeks now, they deliberately took our light. We know they did this because we told them that we are not going to pay the estimated bills. We have written to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, House of Representatives and the Vice president. What we want is to be given prepaid meters and we do not want estimated bills again,” he said.

    A resident, Chief Gabriel Ojuma, described the EKEDC action as unlawful.

    “The first step we took was to write to the EKEDC management and to the regulating agency. Both of them are not doing their work. They have failed in their duty to protect the right of the consumers, the citizens and this is unfortunate.

    “This community needs prepaid meters, we have suffered enough and we are tired of the burden of paying estimated bills which we regard as extortion. It is the right of every Nigerian to agitate for what is right and we know that our right is to get prepaid meters,” Ojuma, a lawyer said.

  • Eko Disco rehabilitates facilities in Ikoyi

    The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) said on Saturday it had commenced the rehabilitation of work on power facilities in Ikoyi and environs to improve services to its customers in the area.

    Mr Godwin Idemudia, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC, said in Lagos the network improvement work was being handled by Marolls Engineering Limited.

    According to him, the exercise will start with the rehabilitation of Moore Road 11kv Feeder and Injection substation.

    He said the rehabilitation work would involve digging, pole erection, cable laying, back-lifting and thrust boring across roads and front of some premises where necessary.

    Read Also: Fed Govt to DisCos: be competitive or quit

    The general manager appealed to customers and members of the public to please accord the rehabilitation team the necessary co-operation and support in order to ensure a hitch-free and successful execution of the rehabilitation plan.

    He apologised for the inconvenience the rehabilitation work might cause the customers and members of the public.

    However, the rehabilitation work would not interrupt power supply to the affected areas, and the company would ensure quick completion of the work, Idemudia said in a statement.

    NAN

     

  • Electricity: Residents lock out EKEDC staff

    Residents of Satellite Town Lagos, on Monday, protested over irregular power supply in their area.

    The residents (30) locked out the workers of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) from entering their office for three hours, and also threatened to stop the officials of the firm from entering their community to carry out their responsibilities.

    The residents, drawn from New Site Community in Ijegun More of the area, said they are ready to force the management of the EKEDC to its knees, in order to get their demands met.

    Its Chairman, Prince Ikechukwu Osuchukwu, said the community does not have transformers, pre-paid meters and light for eight months, stressing that the development is making life difficult for them.

    He said: ‘’For eight months now, we have not been having electricity, a development, which made us to use generators, with its attendant health hazards. The problem started in August 2017, when the 500 KVA transformers we are using developed fault. After much complaint, the power firm brought 300 KVA transformers, which also have similar problem. Since then, the community has been in darkness. This coupled with the fact residents does not have meters.

    However, the PHCN ‘s Business Unit Manager, Engineer Wasiu Bello, said  efforts are being made to restore light in the community in the next one week.

    He apologized over the failure of the Eko DisCo to provide electricity to the residents for eight months, adding that the company is repairing the transformer, with a view to install it next week.

    He said the company would proffer solution to the issue of estimated bulling the residents are paying.

     

  • EKEDC apologies to consumers over inability to recharge

    EKEDC apologies to consumers over inability to recharge

    The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company ( EKEDC ) on Tuesday apologised to its consumers over the difficulty they encountered in recharging their prepaid meters for more energy credit units.

    Mr Godwin Idemudia, the General Manager, Corporate Communications Unit of the company, made the apology in a statement in Lagos.

    Reports say that EKEDC had on Monday said that consumers with prepaid meters might not be able to recharge their meters for more energy credit units for some time.

    Read also: EKEDC celebrates ex-CEO at book launch

    Idemudia explained that the hitches encountered in the DISCO’s network made it difficult for consumers to recharge their energy cards.

    According to him, the network is back and consumers can now start recharging their meters through the company payment channels.

    Idemudia said that this was due to some faults with the system, adding that efforts were being made to rectify the fault.

    The general manager thanked the customers for their patience and understanding when EKEDC had a glitch in its system.

    “The system has been fixed and our customers can now start recharging their meters through all our payment channels.

    “EKEDC highly regrets any inconvenience caused by hitches in our network,” he said.

    NAN

  • Fashola inaugurates 20 transformers, 20 vehicles in lagos

    Fashola inaugurates 20 transformers, 20 vehicles in lagos

    Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of  Works, Power and Housing, on Monday inaugurated one 15 MVA transformer, 20 operational transformers and 20 vehicles at Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko Disco) worth billions of naira.

    Fashola inaugurated the projects shortly after the 19th Power Sector Stakeholders forum  in Akangba Training School in Surulere, Lagos.

    The minister expressed satisfaction on the performance of the management team of  Eko Disco led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Oladele Amoda.

    “l was not surprised when the owners of Eko Disco decided to keep him (Amoda).

    “He is not only a prolific scholar, who reads and writes well, he is also technically savvy as you can see in his unscripted remarks.

    “I want to thank Engineer Amoda for his warm  remarks. I knew him way back when I was the governor here in Lagos. He was very responsive to our needs as a state then.

    “And I also warmly welcome the spirit with which he has reminded us that we have work  to do on transmission side,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Amoda  had highlighted the achievements of  his company since the  last quarterly meeting was held.

    “In addition to what the Honourable  Minister will be commissioning today which include one 15MVA transformer that can transmit 12 MW of power, we have added 60MVA in Ajah, 15MVA in Oke-Ira, Lekki  and Alagbon.

    “Others to be added are 15MVA at Fowler, Bourdillon, Anifowoshe and Akungba,’’ he said.

    He said the purpose of the huge investment was to key into the Federal Government’s programme of incremental power output.

    “By the time we complete all our ongoing projects at Adelabu, Stadium, Tejuosho, Surulere, Coker, Ijora and its environs, the network will be able to receive increased  power from the transmission company and distribute accordingly to our numerous customers,’’ he said.

    On embedded power initiatives, he said that First Power Company had  built 13 MW embedded power, adding that  “we are getting an incremental power as directed by the minister.’’

    “We are waiting for tariff adjustment by NERC accordingly  and this will attract more investors and promote willing buyers and willing sellers’ principles,’’ he added.

  • Eko Disco lauds NERC over new electricity tariff

    The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKDC) on Thursday commended the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the new tariff regime.

    Mr Godwin Idemudia, the Corporate Communications Manager in EKDC, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    He was reacting to the removal of fixed charges under the new tariff regime introduced recently by the NERC.

    According to him, removal of fixed charges by government is a welcome development which will benefit the customers a great deal.

    Idemudia said that his company would now redouble its efforts on its metering project.

    He said that the company had the least charges among the operators going by what NERC had just released.

    “What it means now is that we are going to pursue vigorously our metering rollout plans to meet the yearnings of customers.

    “But for those who cannot wait for the rollout plan to get to them, they can key into our Credited Advanced Payment Metering Implementation (CAPMI) programme to avoid estimated bills which do not favour the company nor the customers.”

    Idemudia said that his company’s recent arrangement with Egbin for supply of 100 mega watts was still in place.

    “Customers within Lekki, Ajah, Ibeju and environs will benefit greatly from this special plan.

    “This is energy that will come directly to us without passing through the national grid.

    “In this special arrangement, the customers will pay slightly more than regular customers.

    “The good news is that it would be stable almost at all times,” Idemudia explained.

    He said that the company had put in place special fault clearing teams to respond to faults during the Christmas and New Year period for faults to be attended to within a very short time of distress calls.

    “Our equipment have been serviced to take any amount of energy that may be wheeled to us by the generation companies via transmission.

    “While we wish our our customers the very best this season, we appeal to them to pay their bills regularly and also make use of our customer care helplines whenever they need our services.

    NAN recalls that the NERC, on Dec 21, outlined various rates of increase in energy charges for consumers across the country.

    It announced the removal of fixed charges for all classes of electricity consumers so that power users would only pay for what they consumed.

    Fixed charge is that component of the tariff that commits electricity consumers to paying an approved amount of money not minding whether electricity is consumed during the billing period.

    Under the new arrangement, residential customer classification (R2) in Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will no longer pay N702 fixed charge every month.

    Their energy charge will, however, increase by N9.60.

    Also, residential customers (R2 customers) in Eko and Ikeja Electricity Distribution zones will no longer pay the N750 fixed charge.

    They will, however, be paying additional N10 and N8, respectively, in their energy charges.