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Tag: Ikeja Electric

  • Sack of 400 workers pits labour against Ikeja Electric

    Sack of 400 workers pits labour against Ikeja Electric

    The Ikeja Electric (IE), a power distribution firm, has incurred the ire of Labour over the sack of 400 workers, including National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) deputy president.

    NUEE, Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)  have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the company to recall the workers unconditionally or risk an industrial action, including the shutting down of Egbin Power station and related plants across the country.

    Egbin Power station and IE are owned by Sahara Energy. NUPENG said it had directed its members at the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) “to commence a shutdown of supplies of gas to the thermal stations and plants if the 400 workers were not recalled before the expiration of the ultimatum.”

    Demanding for the recall of the workers, NUPENG said it would join NUEE when the timeline given IE to reinstate them lapses. The union said it would shut down NGC that supplies gas to thermal stations and plants all over the country.

    NUPENG President Mr. Igwe Achese, in a statement, said: “The union has put its members on notice in NGC to commence a shutdown of supplies of gas to the thermal stations and plants if the 400 workers are not called back to work when the seven-day ultimatum expires.”

    He said the 400 workers were sacked without due process and in line with relevant labour laws.

    IE, on February 26, sacked 400 workers, including NUEE Deputy President Mr. Christian Omemeh, allegedly without reason.

    Although the management said the action was a strategic step aimed at repositioning its business for better performance, the leadership of the three unions were obviously not impressed.

    The unions lamented that since the takeover of the company on November 1, 2013, the management  had not drawn  up a credible conditions of service for workers.

    Leaders of the unions said they had demanded from the management the parameters used, and it agreed to invite them to confidentially show them the parameters used and how the assessment was done. The union leaders, however, expressed regret that, no invitation had been extended to the union even as the management, contrary to best labour practices, went ahead to sack another batch of about 400 workers.

    The unions called on the relevant authorities such as the Federal Ministry of Power and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to call IE to order so that the nation will not be plunged into darkness in the next one week.

    The management of IE has defended the sack. Its  Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Felix Ofulue, said:  ”The key objectives of the company is to create a high performing organisation, which satisfies the needs of the stakeholders, especially our customers, as we reposition for growth.

    “In the last few months, the electricity distribution company has scaled up the metering programme in order to meet the expectations of our customers and further reduce the agitation on estimated billing.

    “It has also achieved significant strides in human capital development, which is critical to the repositioning programme.”

    Ofulue said as part of the strategic initiative, the company also embarked on a re-engineering exercise focused on aligning its structure with its operating model and optimising human capital capacity for better efficiency.

    “We wish to assure all our customers that the organisation has put in place processes to ensure excellent delivery of quality service to our customers in 2016 and beyond,” he added

    In a related development, the unions have called on the Federal government to quickly address the issue of non-payment of salaries to NUEE members across the country in the last 16 months. NUPENG also called on the Federal Government to intervene in the payment of severance benefits to 5, 000 NUEE members laid off during the last privatisation exercise.

  • ‘Ikeja Electric needs 750Mw more to meet customers’ demand’

    ‘Ikeja Electric needs 750Mw more to meet customers’ demand’

    The Managing Director, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje, in a chat with reporters, speaks on the state of the company’s network, inadequate power supply from the national grid and efforts at metering customers as well as other issues in the power sector. EMEKA UGWUANYI was there.

    On taking over the company on November 1, 2013, you complained of low supply from the national grid. How much are you getting now and what do you need to service your customers?

    When we took over in November, 2013, power allocation to Ikeja was between 300 megawatts (Mw) and 320Mw. At a stage, it went to as low as 200Mw, and due to power supply crisis early in the year, at a time we got zero megawatt. Following improved power generation, especially driven by the progress recorded at Egbin Power which generates 1100Mw, we have in the last few months seen improved allocation to Ikeja, of between 450Mw and 500Mw. This has translated to more power supply to our customers.

    However, there is still a shortfall as we require 1,250Mw of power for customers within our network. Since the takeover, we have, among other strategic initiatives, continued to upgrade our network for seamless and equitable distribution of the power that we get. We have also localised cases where we have witnessed issues with transformers and feeders. We are responding to these issues whilst implementing a holistic overhaul programme that would reposition Ikeja Electric for optimal performance at all times and across our network. We have made significant progress in this regard and remained committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that our esteemed customers are serviced excellently, efficiently and sustainably.

    When the new management took over, promises were made to replace bad transformers and upgrade assets, how far have you gone in fulfilling the promises?

    We are replacing bad transformers and upgrading our assets. Between January and June this year, we have replaced 96 defective transformers and have carried out major repairs on feeders and other installations. The upgrade is a continuous process that will ultimately ensure stability and efficiency within the network. There is one aspect of asset that we consider as the most crucial. That is, our people. We have since the takeover continued to invest in our people through local and foreign training programmes designed for all categories of staff. We are confident to state that our people are among the leading professionals in the power sector and we have a seamless succession plan for the future through our Graduate Engineering Programme (GEP). We believe that all of our human capital investments will culminate in the best possible service for our customers.

    What is the update on your metering scheme?

    We have rolled out our Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) scheme. We projected that we would, on a monthly basis, install 12,000 meters. As soon as our contractors mobilise more teams, we will be hitting 15,000 meter installation per month. After our 2,000 meter installation pilot scheme, we have installed another 8,500. We need less than 2,000 units to hit the target, and this will be achieved by the end of this month. We had earlier said we would install 10,000 meters in October. The programme is very much on course and we are confident that we will realise our target of deploying 300,000 smart meters to our customers.

    What caused the delay in your metering scheme?

    We wanted to install meters that are smart, reliable, secure and futuristic.  This is in line with our customer-centric approach of ensuring service excellence in all our operations. Prior to the ongoing deployment, we had to embark on a thorough review of the project to ensure that the solution we adopt is one that will resonate with global best practice. We went through a lot of painstaking attention to details and stakeholder engagements to arrive at the meters we are currently installing. These smart meters that will be installed at residential and business locations can be monitored remotely from our office. A customer can also monitor how he/she progresses on a daily basis using the meter. For instance, if a customer intends to spend just N10,000 on a monthly basis, that could be achieved. What we have now is secure, tamper-proof and puts the power of conservation and management of usage in the hands of our customers.

    Have you put any programme in place to meter customers on your network?

    We have drawn our timetable on how we will cover our customers. In the first instance, we will meter 300,000 customers. But there is no way we can bring in the 300,000 meters for installation in one month. There are some we will install now, and it will continue until December 2016. The holistic timetable for the installation will be strictly adhered to as it was informed by parameters that are vital to the overall success of the project. In addition to the AMI project, our Board has just approved the implementation of Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme to boost the process of metering. The fact still remains that the meters are free–whether through CAPMI or the AMI scheme. If customers pay for meter under CAPMI, Ikeja Electric will refund such monies over time. The procedure, through which our customers can leverage our CAPMI scheme, will be made public soon. The meters will help us effectively monitor and manage customer consumption as well as minimise losses. Secondly, our Customer Enumeration, Technical Audit and Asset Mapping (CETAAM) initiative is targeted at making every consumer of power within our network, our customer indeed. This initiative has kicked-off fully and we are going from house to house. The plan is to ensure that customers are adequately captured on our database. This will ultimately lead to enhanced service delivery and more efficiency in billing. This aspect of the initiative is the technical audit. All the power assets from transformer, cables, poles, and so on, used for our operations will be captured using our technology. In the long-run, immediately we identify a customer, we can map the customer to a transformer; map the transformer to a feeder; among others. The data is needed to manage the system effectively. We expect that this project will be concluded in the next seven to 10 months. A combination of the metering scheme and the CETAAM initiative is certain to produce seamless service within the Ikeja Electric network. In fact, by-passing of our meters and other acts of sabotage will ultimately be checked. By the time we finish CETAAM, we will be able to identify all the weak technical points on our network and plan on how to do network expansion and maintenance. Of course, this will assist us to do good management and balancing.

    Electricity tariffs are expected to rise this year, according to NERC. What is Ikeja Electric’s position in this regard?

    Our 10-year tariff schedule went through the regulator’s process. The truth is that whatever is realised from the tariff is used to fund the entire value chain of the power industry – generation, transmission, NERC (Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission), and others. When we say tariff must be cost-reflective, we mean it must pay for everything along the value chain.  If the tariff is cost-reflective, the only thing that distribution companies keep is less than 20 per cent of the entire money made. NERC brought out a guideline, and part of the guideline is that we meet our customers and agree on pricing terms. We had to do public consultation with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) as well as other stakeholders and consumers. After that, we made our initial presentation to NERC. The regulator looked at it and referred us to the customers again to tell them what the new tariff would be after all cost parameters have been considered. We have made that input, and have submitted our tariff plan to NERC, waiting for its final approval. NERC had admitted that there is no way tariff review would be done without having a form of increase. The sector needs a tariff that will support the entire value chain of the power sector for efficiency and sustainability. We expect that the resultant cost-reflective tariff will help reposition the sector for improved service delivery. We would like to use this medium to appeal for the support and cooperation of our esteemed customers in this regard.

    What is your company doing to check the spate of vandalism of power equipment in your network?

    It is unfortunate that there are individuals out there whose activities have been detrimental to the progress of our projects in Ikeja Electric. In fact, there are certain consumers, who through illegal connections steal energy from the system. These people commonly referred to as “energy thieves” abound across the network and need to be checked through collaborative efforts that needs the support of well-meaning Ikeja Electric customers. The actions of these people led to disruptions within the system and also affected the process of effective billing. We appeal to our esteemed customers to help identify such people to ensure sanity and efficiency in the system. In our efforts to check this problem, we have been carrying along communities at various levels through continuing engagements. We have established collaborative initiatives with virtually all the security agencies and in fact, we have a working relationship with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    Before, we could have as high as five cases of vandalism in a month; but now, following our collaborative initiatives, the cases have been drastically reduced. The process of identifying and prosecuting the energy thieves is one that requires the support of all customers within the network. Currently, over 10 people have been arrested for illegal connections and they will be prosecuted. There are still many more out there that need to be stopped. We urge customers to report any case of illegal connections to the nearest Ikeja Electric office. Let me also stress that customers should also report cases of extortion in any guise from people purporting to be our staff or members of staff. In Ikeja Electric we have zero tolerance for any form of unprofessional act by our staff. We are building a team of people, who are ethical and professional. That is the new Ikeja Electric, new spirit, new drive and new energy.

  • Ikeja Electric rolls out programmes for efficient service delivery

    Ikeja Electric rolls out programmes for efficient service delivery

    The Ikeja Electric has begun the roll out of two vital programmes – Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) and Customer Enumeration, Technical Audit and Asset Mapping (CETAAM), aimed at ensuring that customers are metered, and get quality service.

    The Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) targets the metering of all customers with smart meters and the Company targets installation of 300,000 meters in the next three years.

    The Chief Executive Officer Ikeja Electric, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje said the roll out of the smart meters, which started last month, represents a remarkable step in the company’s quest for redefining service delivery in the sector. This development resonates with our new spirit, new drive and new energy identity, as we strive to create value for our customers, he added

    Ajifowobaje told reporters in Lagos that the meter roll out started in September with the installation of 6000 meters after the successful completion of the pilot scheme of the advanced meter installation phase which began in June this year. The Ikeja Electric is set to commence with the second phase of the project; the mass roll out of the meters. These meters are designed to enhance efficient energy usage and transparent billing in real time, he added

    According to him, the company aims to install 10,000 meters this month, and will be able to attain the peak monthly installation of 15,000 meters by December. He said the scope of the metering project is to deploy approximately 300,000 electric meters for Ikeja Electric’s residential, commercial and industrial customers between September 2015 and December 2016 in mapped out areas in all the Business Units of the Company.

    Ajifowobaje noted that Ikeja Electric’s Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) is a state-of-the-art technology that enables utilities to read, disconnect and connect meters remotely and to detect individual customer outages quickly using a wireless communications network. The metering project will replace today’s meters with “next generation” electronic meter technology that improves customer service and enables customers to proactively manage their energy use and save money by giving them the power to control how much electricity they use against how much electricity they pay for.

    According to the Ikeja Electric chief, the scope of the metering project is to deploy approximately 300,000 electric meters for Ikeja Electric’s residential, commercial and industrial customers between September 2015 and December 2016 with installation of about 12,000 meters monthly in already mapped out areas in all the Business Units of the Company. With the metering project, the issue of estimation will be totally eradicated through improved billing. The customers will also be able to track the usage of electricity and eliminate energy wastage, he said.

    To also improve quality of service, Ikeja Electric has started Customer Enumeration, Technical Audit and Asset Mapping (CETAAM) project across its network .The project is slated to run from October 2015 to April, 2016.

    The project will involve mapping the location of each of the electrical network entities from the 132KV/33KV and 11KV systems to the distribution transformers and poles.  Ajifowobaje said: “It is going to be a thorough project that will ensure a solid foundation for efficient, equitable and transparent power supply to the esteemed customers of Ikeja Electric. He said that customer and consumer indexing will be carried out through door-to-door surveys for accurate information for deploying transformers and electricity equipment required in a given community; a development he noted will address challenges faced by customers which will translate to improved power supply.

  • Ikeja Electric proposes 50% cut on fixed charges

    Ikeja Electric said it would reduce by 50 per cent the monthly fixed charges in its electricity bills to customers, as soon as it gets approval from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    Its Managing Director, Abiodun Ajifowobaje, who  stated this at the company’s stakeholders’ consultative forum in Lagos, said the proposal has been submitted to the NERC for approval.

    He said the  reduction is been initiated in view of the planned increase in energy charge per kilowatt/hour (Kw/h).

    He said: “Customer number and the percentage growth rate as presently determined is based on the anticipated outcome of the enumeration project currently in progress,” stating that billed customer numbers would double in the next two-to-three years and would thereafter increase by about 3.5 per cent.

    Ajifowobaje urged the consumers to embrace the cost-reflective tariff to enable the company serve them better, saying the company is constrained by the present tariff regime, which is not cost-reflective.

    He said the new proposed tariff would address some of the lingering challenges in customers’ billing, adding that residential consumers have been grouped into R1, R2, R3 and R4 respectively, depending on their load consumption.

    Ajiwofobaje said customers will no longer be billed based on uniform categorisation, but based on the electricity consumption in particular locations. “We cannot have zero charges; there is no place in the world that pays zero charges on fixed charges, adding there is inadequate energy accountability due to large scale unmetered customers. Less than 50 per cent of customers are metered adequately,” he said.

    He said the company in the next five years plans to install 600,000 new meters, connect 592,000 new customers and reduce losses within the network from 33 per cent to 14 per cent as part of its metering investment plans.

    He said that the Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) had been fully installed and commissioned, while the pilot smart meter installation of 2000 units was also completed successfully. “Energy accounting meter installation at feeders has been completed, mass meter roll out commenced in August and 6,000 units have already been installed. Our target is to achieve monthly meter installation of 15,000 units,” he said.

    He said the company has earmarked over N2 billion to N3 billion investment for all ongoing projects. He however, advised customers and community leaders to support the company in canvassing for energy conservation in their respective locations, while appealing to customers to always switch off their appliances to avoid energy wastage.

     

  • Ikeja Electric eyes installation of 15,000 meters monthly

    Ikeja Electric eyes installation of 15,000 meters monthly

    Ikeja Electric has started roll out of smart meters under its metering programme called Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) that targets installation of 300,000 meters over the next three years.

    Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje said the roll out represents a remarkable step in the company’s quest for redefining service delivery in the sector. “This development resonates with our new spirit, new drive and new energy identity, as we strive to create value for our customers,” he added

    Ajifowobaje told reporters yesterday in Lagos that the meter roll out started in September with the installation of 6000 meters after the successful completion of the pilot scheme of the advanced meter installation phase which began in June this year.

    He said the power firm is set to commence  the second phase of the project; the mass roll out of the meters. These meters are designed to enhance efficient energy usage and transparent billing in real time, he added.

    According to him, the company aims to install 10,000 meters this month, and will be able to attain the peak monthly installation of 15,000 meters by December.

  • Ikeja Electric begins installation of smart meters

    The management of Ikeja Electric on Wednesday said the company was set to embark on massive installation of smart meters within the zone in September.

    Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, the Chief Executive Officer, announced this at a consultation meeting on tariff review with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), professional bodies and association in Lagos.

    Ajifowobaje said that the company had installed 2,120 smart meters in August to its numerous consumers free of charge as a pilot scheme in all the units of the company.

    He said that the aim of the scheme was to eliminate estimated billing and ensure that all consumers within the zone were metered.

    Ajifowobaje said that it was pathetic that 24 out of 2,120 meters installed by the company had been bypassed by consumers.

    “When we came on board in Nov. 1, 2013, we discovered that out of 138,000 prepaid meters installed, 78,000 meters were bypassed by consumers within the zone.

    “This was the reason why we introduced smart meters, because we can easily identify any of our consumers that bypasses it.

    “As I am speaking to you now, 24 meters out of the 2,120 meters installed in August have been bypassed and I can see it from my office,” he said.

    The chief executive officer urged the associations to embrace the tariff review by the company to promote uninterrupted power supply.

    He lamented that energy consumption was being subsidised by the government before the privatisation, adding that they were running the company at a loss.

    Ajifowobaje said that out of 100 per cent billing sent out by the company, 60 per cent went to Generation Companies (GENCOS), 25 per cent to Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) while it was left with 15 per cent.

    He said that what would be left could not guarantee adequate power supply to the numerous consumers.

    The chief executive officer said there would be an increase in tariff but it would come down later.

    Responding, Mr Ambrose Uche, the Chairman, Ikeja Branch of MAN, said that the association was not ready to dialogue with the company because the tariff review case was in court.

    Uche said that the case would come up on Sept. 29 in Lagos.

    He urged the company to allow court to decide on the issue before deliberating on it.

    The chairman said that MAN could not operate on a tariff that would be changing all the time.

     

  • ‘455,000 Ikeja Electric customers lack meters’

    ‘455,000 Ikeja Electric customers lack meters’

    • IKEDC explains improved power supply

    No fewer than 455,000 customers, represent- ing 70 per cent of the 650,000 customers inherited by Ikeja Electric (IE) from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), lack meters.

    TheManaging Director, Ikeja Electric, Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, who spoke during a courtesy visit to the Lagos office of The Nation, said when IE,  a member of Sahara Energy Group bought and took over the assets of PHCN in 2013, the company inherited 650,000 customers, 70 per cent of which had meters.

    He said: “We started with 650,000 customers. Forty per cent of the customers were using obsolete meters, while 60 per cent do not have meters. Holistically, about 70 per cent of the customers do not have meters when one uses this parameter to look at the metering issues in the company.”

    Ajifowobaje said the power firm has invested $160milion on production of meters, adding that the firm has carried out some activities which include determining the number of meters needed by its customers, knowing areas where there is a metering gap, those who have paid for meters over a period of time among others, adding that efforts are being put in place to give customers with zerorised account meters when meters are ready.

    “By zerorised accounts, I mean accounts that are free devoid of debts. That is only customers that show evidence that they are not owing,” he added.

    According to him, the need to meet the electricity needs of consumers made the company to come out with a concept called Energy Accountability.

    He said through the initiative, a symbiotic relationship between IE and its customers have been created with a view to ensuring that every percentage of the energy produced and distributed to customers is accounted for.

    Ajifowobaje said there are differences in prices and rate of consumption of electricity in the country, adding that the company has introduced an initiative known as Embedded Energy’ to meet the energy needs of the people.

    He said the company has also identified some areas and its working to get investors who can build plants in those areas for growth.

    He said the scheme ensures that consumers in such areas or localities that enjoy more hours of electricity pay more tariffs to the energy providers and investors were invited to produce certain quantum of electricity for growth.

    Ajifowobaje said the improvement in power supply in the country is a result of improved gas supply to the power generation companies (GENCOs), adding that there are two levels of gas supplies to consumers, one of which is sold to international consumers and the other half is sold locally.

    He said from the quantity sold to local consumers, a percentage is sold to the sector, under the gas-to-power arrangement.

    “What had happened before is that from the quantity that is supposed to serve the local market, there is a percentage that should go to power, usually called gas-to-power. But people have continued to intentionally divert the gas that should come to power to sell to the highest bidder. And when someone tries to expose or query why it should be so, the next you will hear is that the pipelines have been vandalised and that becomes an excuse for gas supply,” Ajifowobaje explained.

    Indeed, Ajifowobaje’s explanations may not be faulty given that most of the operators in the gas production and supply chain are private sector players who sell to the highest bidder, in spite of the standing law on the mandatory gas-to-power supply quota. The reasons for this action, it was gathered,is due to the desire to make higher profit and prompt payment by the private consumers. For instance, if selling gas to a private firm cost between $5 and $6 per scuff, selling the same commodity to government institutions like Egbin power plant may be reduced to $3 per scuff. Yet, in spite of this differential, payment for such is always delayed by government institutions, while the private firms buying same pay immediately.

    However, the IKEDC boss said notwithstanding this scenario, patriotism dictates that what is allocated to power should go to the sector. He explained that to serve every of its customers within Ikeja, about 1, 250 megawatts is required, whereas, he said, even with the improved power, it only gets 450-500mw, which he revealed is still an improvement from a previous 250mw it gets in the past.

    Today, Ajifowobaje said there are between 15, 000 and 16, 000 Mw, including power generated from the NIPPs, as available generation capacity. However, what DISCOs can give out is only 9,000 Mw. And even with the gas to power, the maximum received by DISCOs is 5, 000mw.

    He expressed disappointment, saying even if the country generates 40, 000mw, the only quantity that can get to the 11 DISCOs is just 4, 500 mw, because the transmissions cannot will more than that on a continuous basis, otherwise there will be a systems collapse.

    “The DISCOs inherited obsolete networks.  Any power produced in this country, IKEDC is supposed to take 15 per cent of it; time was we got even zero allocation; but now we are taking even more than 15 per cent. So, the more gas we get, the better and more electricity the people will enjoy,” Ajifowabaje added.

  • ‘Ikeja Electric to distribute 2,000 smart metres’

    ‘Ikeja Electric to distribute 2,000 smart metres’

    The Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) said yesterday that it would begin the distribution of 2, 000 units of smart metres at the end of this month under its pilot scheme.

     Its Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Pekun Adeyanju, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that another batch of 5,000 metres would be installed in July.

     The equipment, he said, is a new technology in power consumption measurement that ensures regular interface between electricity providers and consumers, adding that it is both pre-paid and post-paid.

     Adeyanju said: “Ikeja Electric will distribute 2, 000 units of smart metres by the end of June and another 5,000 units in July under the pilot scheme. Consumers who engage in illegalities such as bypassing the metres in their homes will be checkmated by the smart metres.”

    Adeyanju said the company had invested about N20 billion in the smart metre technology to boost its services.

     The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) also said it had installed 5,400 units of smart metres between April and June.

     “We have installed 5,400 smart metres within the zone in the last three months,’’ Mr Godwin Idemudia, an Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, said yesterday.

     He urged customers to apply for the metres under the company’s Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme.

     He said they would be made available within 45 days after payment.

     He said one-phase smart metre costs N39, 650, while three-phase metre costs N68, 906.

     Idemudia said the new metre would address all the problems associated with metering.

  • Ikeja Electric spends N21b on smart meters

    Ikeja Electric spends N21b on smart meters

    •Pilot installation begins June 

    CUSTOMERS without prepaid meters may soon have cause to smile. The Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) has bought about 276,084 smart meters for $ 106 million (about N21.09 billion) for its residential, commercial and industrial customers. The meters will be deployed in phases, said IKEDC Chief Executive Officer, Abiodun Agifowobaje.

    At the unveiling of the meters in Lagos, Agifowobaje said the installation’s pilot scheme would run from next month to July.

    The success of the pilot scheme would determine how fast the implementation would be. Areas slated for the pilot scheme are  Abule-Egba, Akowonjo, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Oshodi and Shomolu, adding that the scheme will be carried out with 2000 customers.

    According to him, the roll out represents a remarkable step in the company’s quest for redefining service delivery in the sector. “This development resonates with our new spirit, new drive and new energy identity, as we strive to create value for our customers,” he said.

    The metering programme tagged: “Ikeja Electric’s Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI)”, he said, is a state-of-the-art technology that enables utilities to read, disconnect and connect meters remotely it will also detect individual customer outages quickly using a wireless communications network. Under the project, he said, today’s electric meters would be replaced with “next generation” electronic meter technology that improves customer service and enables customers to proactively manage their energy use and save money by participating in new programs with time differentiated rates and demand response options.

    Aside accurate consumption information, the advanced metering system is capable of collecting  other data such as power outage, restoration alerts and meter tampering data to detect theft of energy, he said.

    Ajifowobaje said the company chose to introduce smart meters because of their benefits to customers, adding that they will guarantee accurate reading without estimate and enhance  security of equipment.

    To the customers, he said the estimation would eradicated through improved billing, adding: “Customers will also be able to track the usage of electricity and eliminate energy wastage.”

    Ajifowobaje appealed to  customers to support the project to ensure hitch-free deployment and adopt an ownership attitude that will ensure the protection of their meters and other equipment within their localities.

     

  • Ikeja Electric explains power outages

    Ikeja Electric explains power outages

    The management of Ikeja Electric (IE) has attributed the current rate of power interruption across its network to low power allocation from the National Grid.

    The company made the explanation in a statement signed by Mr Pekun Adeyanju, IE Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, and issued in Lagos.

    It quoted Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, the Chief Executive Officer of IE , as saying that the average power allocation to the company was 350 mega watts (MW) as against minimum load demand of 1,250 MW.

    Ajifowobaje, according to the statement, explained that the huge shortfall had affected the operations of the company, as they had resorted to load-shedding.

    Ajifowobaje reassured electricity consumers in its jurisdiction that the company would ensure that the power allocation will be equitably distributed.

    He appealed for consumers’ understanding and promised that efforts had been stepped up to ensure repair of electrical faults.

    He decried the activities of consumers who connect electricity illegally into their premises without paying electricity bills.

    The IE chief said the activities of the vandals had impacted negatively on consumers’ billing system.

    “The energy allocated to an area is measured and people may be paying for the power being consumed by the energy thieves.

    “We have put a process in place to migrate individuals involved in this practice into our network.

    “However, we seek the cooperation of community leaders and consumers in our efforts to eradicate energy theft and ensure quality service delivery for all customers within the IE network,” he said.