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Tag: Ikeja Electric

  • Consumer laments Ikeja Electric tariff hike

    Consumer laments Ikeja Electric tariff hike

    There are strong indications that some Distribution Companies (DisCos) may have quietly effected a tariff change, contrary to the position of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) that it has not approved any electricity tariff increase.

    According to a consumer on the network of Ikeja Electric (IE), Mr. Abidemi Odeyingbo, a resident on Budland Street, Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos State, despite the clarity of NERC that it has not approved tariff increase for Discos, his experience yesterday after recharging his meter says something to the contrary.

    “I recharged my meter on Ikeja Electric yesterday (January 2) at 8:15am with N5, 000 and after loading the token, I was surprised to be credited with 66 units of electricity; this is like 10 units short of what I got for the same amount on November 4, 2023 when I got 76 units for N5, 000. On November 21, 2023, I loaded N2, 000 and got 29 units of electricity.

    “Definitely, Ikeja Electric has increased its tariff, except the firm wants to claim there is a fault in their system warranting this difference of 10 units,” a surprise Odeyingbo said, brandishing a copy of the payment receipt at The Nation.

    When contacted for comments, the Head of Media, IE, Kingsley Okotie, resorted to querying this reporter instead, on whether it was a reaction for a story or laying a complaint on behalf of a customer. Told that it was for Ikeja Electric’s reaction to the drop in number of electricity units purchased by a customer at same price and within a period not known that an increase in tariff was effected, Okotie became immediately aggressive towards this reporter, retorting: “See, I am not someone that can be bamboozled.

    If it is to lay complaint on behalf of a customer, then the customer can get in touch with our complaint center, but if it is a reaction to your story then I cannot answer you.” All appeals to get him to comment on the alleged increase yielded no fruit. Electricity consumers are however not surprised at the development, which they described as the “way of DisCos.”

    However, the NERC has insisted that there is no approval for tariff increase. “The Commission as well as the industry is responsible enough to appreciate the state of the economy, level of power generation, how Nigerians are coping and would, therefore, not make any decision that could further aggravate the challenges faced by the power sector and the economy,” NERC said in a statement on its website yesterday. Further telephone calls made to NERC’s General Manager, Communications, Dr. Usman Arabi, were unanswered as at the time of going to press.

    Recall that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had stated in November 2023 that President Bola Tinubu stopped the implementation of a hike in electricity tariff and insisted that subsidy be paid on power consumed nationwide. In the third quarter of 2023, the federal government subsidy on electricity stood at N204.59 billion, based on a NERC report.

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    “Tariffs should have been raised months back, but Mr. President said until we can achieve regular and incremental power supply we can’t touch the tariff. But for political reasons and empathy, you cannot cause additional burden on Nigerians. We are talking about the exchange rate skyrocketing, galloping inflation and so many others that bring hardship to the people.

    “And Mr President is trying to relieve this hardship through various forms of palliatives. So it is not politically expedient and reasonable to now implement a tariff that is more like dumping the existing tariff. We are now paying about N70 (per kilowatt-hour), and it can never be less than N130 or N140 at the exchange rate of today if we are to implement a cost reflective tariff, because part of the reasons for an increased tariff is the price of gas, which is paid in dollars,” Adelabu had explained back then.

  • 11 months without light, courtesy Ikeja Electric

    Come October 29, it would be one year (less about three weeks) since I have been without public power supply, courtesy of Ikeja Electric (IE). Indeed, I am preparing to celebrate the first anniversary later next month, because, in our kind of country, that is a feat. I have been supplying my own electricity for about eight hours a day without any hitch; three hours in the afternoon and five at night. It is no doubt expensive, but it is worth it; especially for one who has a point to prove.  I had earlier reported when I was denied power supply for seven months, from October 2018 to June 1, 2019. The matter had gone to the NERC Forum and even beyond. When hope appeared to be in sight, then another impediment!

    Ikeja Electric threw my area in Pleasure, Lagos, into darkness. We have been having issues with the distribution company (DisC0)  since June 30 when we were disconnected from the transformer. Three months have thus passed since this darkness imposed by Ikeja Electric. The aim is to let the electricity consumers in the area put pressure on Ikeja Electric’s debtors to pay before the area would be reconnected. I won’t say much on this too till the first anniversary of my personal experience with this DisCo later in October by God’s grace. Suffice it to say the affected residents have mapped out their own response to this callousness. Protest has been staged and will still be staged. A court action is not ruled out, if I heard them right.

    Meanwhile, my fans should start preparing their congratulatory adverts for me on the occasion of the first anniversary of the ‘Do It Yourself (DIY)’ foisted on me by Ikeja Electric!

  • Ikeja Electric, Mojec roll out meters, sensitise customers on registration

    Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has begun the roll out of meters to customer across its network, under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.

    In the first phase, which ended last month, metering was restricted to customers in Ikorodu, Abule-Egba and Shomolu Business Units. However, from the beginning of this month, the exercise has been extended to customers in Ikeja, Akowonjo and Oshodi Business Units.

    The MAP scheme is in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to bridging the metering gap. It entails the empowerment of third party companies’ identified Meter Asset Providers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to procure and install meters for consumers under this scheme.

    Ikeja Electric, and one of its MAPs, Mojec Metering Asset Company, held a Customers’ Engagement Forum to sensitise customers in the Shomolu Business Unit, on the registration process, survey, payment and installation of meters.

    Its Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Folake Soetan, who spoke at the forum in Gbagada, reiterated the company’s commitment to leverage the opportunity provided by the MAP scheme to close the metering gap across its network and remove estimated billing.

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    “The scheme will ensure accelerated meter deployment to unmetered customers and totally eliminate every form of controversy regarding the accuracy of electricity bills. We have taken concrete actions in terms of planning and manpower deployment for adequate metering” she said.

    In order to ensure a seamless meter registration under MAP scheme, she advised unmetered customers to register through IE website, map.ikejaelectric.com, using their Ikeja Electric’s account number on the bill to update their KYC (Know Your Customer) details after which a survey will be carried out to determine the type of meter that will be suitable for their premises.

    Mojec Meter Asset Company, Managing Director, Ms. Chantelle Abdul, in her remarks, said her company has adequate meters in stock for the MAP scheme. According to her, the cost of single phase meter is N38, 850, while the three-phase meter is N70,350, both inclusive of VAT.

    She revealed that all processes have been put in place, including bank loans for customers who cannot afford the meter outrightly. Some of the banks partnering Mojec where customers can get soft loans spread over a long time to pay for their meters, according to her, include Unity, Sterling, Zenith, First Bank, and First Option Micro Finance Bank.

    Soetan also pointed out that the company has set up a debt resolution panel in its six Business Units to address disputed outstanding bills and ensure reconciliation. She also stated that customers must always pay into the designated bank account provided on the online MAP portal and quote their Application Reference Number (ARN) when making any payment, urging new customers to visit the nearest Ikeja Electric office for account creation  to enable them start their registration for meter.

    As part of the registration process, customers will be required to provide a valid email address and telephone number as they will be contacted through the information provided. She urged customers to always ensure that they provide accurate data during the process.

    She advised tenants sharing the same service cable to separate their them by engaging the service of Licensed Electrical Contractor Association of Nigeria (LECAN).

    The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Baale of Bajulaye, Alhaji Ralialau Alabi Yunusa,  who represented Oba of Shomolu, Adedapo Oduguwa; Shomolu Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Alhaja Olawumi Osiefa; Bariga  CDC Chairperson and Mrs Susie Onwuka, Head, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council, Lagos Office.

  • Ikeja Electric energises Obawole 15MVA injection substation

    Electricity customers in Obawole, Fagba and Iju environs, in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State have started experiencing long hours of electricity supply following the commissioning of the Obawole 15MVA transformer injection substation by Ikeja Electric Plc (IE).

    The injection substation, which was commissioned at the weekend, will provide residents of the area and environs power supply for up to 18 hours daily. Residents of K-Fam Estate, Olowo area, the entire f Obawole community and Adisa Coker will get supply from the injection substation; other areas that will also benefit from the project include Ahmed Afolabi, Coker Onifufu, Ashabi Taiwo Streets and old Akute Road, among others.

    Speaking during the commissioning of the project in Lagos, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Ikeja Electric Plc, Dr. Anthony Youdeowei, said the new injection substation would facilitate vast improvement in the quality of electricity supply to customers within the area, bringing to an end the poor supply of electricity hitherto experienced by residents.

    He said: “We embarked on this laudable project, which has gulped about N500million, with the aim of strengthening our network as well as enhancing improved electricity supply to residents of the area. This move has increased supply of power from the former two hours daily to 18 hours, with a view to finding a lasting solution to critical supply issues facing the community. This is in line with our commitment to our vision of provision of quality and reliable services to our customer.”

    He further disclosed that the company will go into the second phase of the project by radiating two feeders which will further improve power supply to new Oko-Oba, Unity Estate, Fagba, Babatunde Hassan, Awobona and Iju Road.

    Youdeowei explained that IE is committed to exceptional service delivery and that the company recently set up a dispute resolution panel to look into customer complaints emanating from the issues of estimated billing, noting that the company is doing its best to ensure a seamless integration of its vision for customer satisfaction

    He urged customers to continue to partner with Ikeja Electric for improved and qualitative services, especially with regard to regular payment of electricity bills, noting that payment of the huge outstanding debt owed Ikeja Electric by the community will go a long way in assisting the company to fulfill other obligations to its esteemed customers.

    In his remark, the Executive Chairman, Ifako-Ijaiye local council, Apostle Dr. Oloruntoba Oke, commended Ikeja Electric for making the project a priority, noting that with this development, these communities will enjoy economic boom. He also called for the extension of the project to other communities and charged members of the community and their leaders to ensure the protection of the facilities, to encourage the company to do more.

  • Ikeja Electric assures customer of supply during Easter

    Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has assured customers across its network of commitment to hitch-free services during the Easter holiday to ensure regular electricity supply.

    While wishing all its customers a safe and enjoyable holiday season, on behalf of the company, the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, also urged customers to take advantage of its numerous channels for payment of electricity bills to avoid disconnection during the holiday period.

    Ofulue explained that measures have been put in place to ensure network stability and smooth operations during the Easter holidays. “In anticipation of customers’ expectations during the holiday, we have provided a maintenance process to monitor and patrol the network to ensure faults are cleared as and when due and also mitigate the effect of any threat to supply,” he said.

    He also cautioned against harassment of its employees on duty, noting that IE has provided multiple channels and customer care touch points through which customers may seek redress. He confirmed that Customer Service has expanded its teams dedicated to handling customer complaints and they can be reached on 01-448-3900, 01-7000-250, 0700-022-5543.

    Ofulue further reiterated IE’s commitment towards improving its service delivery, stressing that the company has been replacing defective utility poles and transformers to ensure safe and efficient distribution of supply. He also advised customers not to resort to using those unqualified electricians to clear fault in their areas, adding that such activities were usually responsible for most of the technical problems on the network.

  • IE sets up panel on disputed bills

    AMID complaints by customers, Ikeja Electric (IE) Plc has set up a Bill Dispute Resolution Panel (BDRP)  to expedite action on disputed bills.

    In a statement yesterday, the electricity distribution company (DisCo) said the gesture was to mitigate customers’ complaints about estimated bills.

    The panel, which comprises workers with expertise in the business operations and customer services will meet customers once monthly across IE’s six business units to tackle such complaints.

    The panel, the statement said,  would be empowered to resolve “these cases expeditiously, relying on company processes and regulatory requirements.”

    The idea of setting up the panel is to quickly and amicably resolve lingering service issues raised by customers, it added.

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    The statement reads: “In a service industry like the power sector, disputes occurring as a result of dissatisfaction from a customer are inevitable. However, if inadequately managed, disputes can be bad for business and even go as far as negatively impacting on the customer’s loyalty and business brand. So, we understand that fact and we are doing the best within our control to manage our customer’s expectations.

    “In line with our business objectives, we seek to be the provider of choice. Our customers need to be satisfied for us to be in business. The BDRP also enables customers plan their visits according to their itinerary, since the panel sits for resolution once every month. This initiative is in addition to the daily attendance to customers’ complaints through the Customer Service channels and the IE offices across the network.”

  • Protesting Okota residents insist on prepaid meters

    Some residents of Okota, Lagos, yesterday insisted on being metered by the Ikeja Electric (IE), as they relaunched their compaign against “crazy bills.”

    During a protest at the Okota Road office of electricity distribution company (DisCo), the residents said they would no longer pay any bill that is over N5000 a month until they are provided pre-paid meters.

    But, in a swift reaction, IE implored the residents to explore dialogue to resolve the issue.

    The protesters, who are members of the Okota Residents Association (ORA) Zone A, arrived at the IE office around 7:30 am, bearing placards with inscriptions, such as: “No disconnection till you settle us”; ‘”No prepaid meters, no payment”; “No more estimated bills”; “No more meeting with ORA Zone A  executives till our demands are met”; “Install prepaid meters with immediate effect” and “Emmanuella Nwafor must go”.

    The Nation learnt that Nwafor is the IE marketer for the area.

    Vice Chairman of Bishop Okojie Street Resident Association Eze Phillips said they had been given estimated bills since 2016, adding that meetings with IE management have not yielded result.

    “We demand stoppage of the current estimated electricity bills. Until we are metered, any bill more than N5000 will not be paid. There should be no further disconnection of residents for failure to pay the exorbitant bills. Any attempt to disconnect us will be resisted. The Okota Zone A marketer should be redeployed because of her unruly and unprofessional conduct. She is rude to customers.

    “We also demand that there should be no more sales of prepaid meters. Installation of prepaid meters should begin with immediate effect. No more meetings with IE on our demands. The executives of ORA Zone A have met the management more than eight times since 2016, with no result. The promises made have not been fulfilled,” Phillips said.

    A resident, Olagunju Olamide, wondered why he should be billed N18,000  monthly.

    He said he paid N176,000 last year to clear his arrears, but stopped paying when he discovered that the bill was not going down. “Now my bill is almost N200,000 within a short period. Why should I pay IE bills like I’m paying house rent?”

    Another resident, Austine John, of Bayo Oyewole Street, said the House of Representatives had passed a bill outlawing estimated bills.

    “Why are we still being billed outrageously for the light we do not consume? We cannot have enough sleep or enjoy what we are paying for. This is not acceptable and we will resist it,” he said.

    IE’s Assistant Public Relations Officer Akinola Ayeni said protest was not the best way to resolve the issue.

    He added that the residents could not tell the firm who to hire or not as the marketer is doing her job.

    ”It is not true that prepaid meters are sold. We don’t sell prepaid meters, they are free.

    “We have finished one of the schemes for installing prepaid meters. We will begin another pilot scheme next month. We cannot meter everybody at the same time.

    “On the estimated billings, we are a standard organisation. We are guided by rules. We have a policy guiding us and we follow the rules to bill customers as they consume. We follow guidelines on how to bill our consumers. We bill them for what they use. If anybody has any issue with his bills or that we have billed them outrageously, they can come to our office and have a meeting with us. Most consumers don’t want to pay, some pay and we appreciate them. There are some consumers who are just billed N1000 but you will see them with other protesters claiming that they are overbilled.”

     

  • Ikeja Electric cautions against activities around power lines

    TO ensure safety of lives, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has cautioned the public against building structures and engaging in social and economic activities under power lines.

    The company said the specific clearance/distance which the public must maintain away from a 33/11KV lines is 5.5 metres (20ft) on both sides; for 132KV lines, the distance must be 15 meters (50ft) on both sides and 330KV lines must have a clearance of 25meters (60ft) on both sides.

    IE’s Head of Quality, Safety, Health & Environment (QHSE), Jamiu Badmos, explained that carrying out social and economic activities under power lines exposes people to danger, leading to the risk of electrocution.

    According to him, fatality within the energy sector can be prevented if the public religiously adhere to precautions and avoid activities close to electrical installations.

    “As a responsible service provider, we are aware of our obligation to ensure that every resident within our network is kept safe, especially bearing in mind the hazardous nature of electricity so we are using this medium to remind the public that electrical installations are harmful and must be avoided as much as is possible. Our appeal to customers to avoid activities under power lines must be taken seriously, especially as the integrity of old cables cannot always be guaranteed,” he said.

    He revealed that even with the huge resources IE has spent on enlightenment campaigns to sensitise the public on inherent dangers of life-threatening activities, some of the people have remained adamant.

    Badmos further called for the intervention of the government and relevant stakeholders in stemming this ugly development by declaring activities under power line as illegal and moving people and markets away from the danger spots to save lives and properties.

    He added that customers could report cases of illegal structures under power lines, illegal connections and vandalism of equipment through Ikeja Electric customer care help lines numbers: 01-4483900, 0700-0-2255-43, 070-7000-250 or send mail via customercare@ikejaelectric.com.

    As a company that places high priority to safety in line with its quality, health, safety and environment policy, IE has consistently championed initiatives that entrenches the culture of safety to ensure no life of staff, contractors or customers is lost through electrocution.

    Recently, the company unveiled its mission slogan – Mission Zero-Take Ownership – for the year, which  a rallying cry for stakeholders to  ensure that the network records zero fatality.

    Mission Zero focuses on four main areas: zero Injuries to customers, visitors, contractors and employers; zero tolerance of unsafe behavior and acts; zero compromise on safety generally and zero impact on families and communities, the Head, Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue said.

  • Ikeja Electric expands network maintenance

    The Ikeja Electric (IE) has announced the expansion of network patrol teams and field operations pre-emptive maintenance across its network.

    It said this is to ensure customers enjoy the Yuletide.

    Head Corporate Communications Felix Ofulue said in a statement yesterday that the move would see installations undergo pre-emptive maintenance work, as well as increase the number of patrol teams to ensure swift repair of faults.

    He said the company was aware that its customers needed stable supply of electricity to enjoy Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    Ofulue said: “The company is not unaware of expectations of customers to enjoy regular and stable power supply during the Yuletide. So, a lot of measures have been put in place to ensure that customers’ hopes are not dashed. We have started replacing faulty cables and equipment to ensure easy evacuation of power, as received from the National Grid.

    “In addition, our fault clearing teams in business units have been reinforced and enhanced to meet the demands, which expectedly will increase during this period because of the pressure our facilities will be subjected to.

    We are mindful that during holidays, customers in festive mood will need more supply and this load on our aging infrastructure may cause some faults and trips. Our teams are ready to ensure they are rectified in the shortest possible time.”

     

     

  • Ikeja Electric, XT Monitor partner to provide free medicare

    Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) and XT Monitor have organised a four-day medical outreach for the benefit of communities within its network.

    The outreach, which focuses on the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases with special attention to diabetes and hypertension amongst others, was facilitated by a United States Medical Mission (USMM) comprising five medical specialists and is providing free treatment to over 1,500 beneficiaries.

    According to the Head of Corporate Communications for Ikeja Electric, Felix Ofulue, the exercise was in line with objectives of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme, which entails giving back to communities in which it operates. The outreach will be held across the different locations within its network coverage.

    He noted that this initiative, which is happening for the second time in two years, demonstrates IE’s commitment to the wellbeing of customers within its network.

    “Firstly, as a responsible business, we are concerned about the wellbeing of our customers. Again, this initiative is also geared towards supporting the efforts of government in providing accessible healthcare to some of the underserved communities within Ikeja Electric’s network. We have a long history of providing medicare and other beneficial projects that aim at improving the wellbeing of residents within its network. The outreach will be held across the six business Units of the Company.

    “You will recall that in the recent past, we have deployed quite a number of healthcare interventions in communities under our network, so another part of the concept is also to stimulate interest and stir other notable institutions to embrace the responsibility of assisting in providing affordable healthcare to the underserved. We are hoping that the residents of these communities will make good use of the opportunity,” he said.

    The Managing Director of XT Monitor, Kayode Adeoti, said: “The medical outreach aligns with our strategy of engagement with the communities and also provides a platform to demonstrate that we and our principal, Ikeja Electric care for the wellbeing of the customers in the communities where we work. It is our hope that the impact will be significant and far-reaching for the beneficiaries”.