The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) is one of the few DisCos that has made concerted efforts to address the situation of electricity theft in its network, and improve customer relations.
No doubt, positive customer relations gives companies more insight into their customer’s problems because it creates an open channel of communication for relaying customer feedback. This leads to better individual interactions with customers, which builds up trust over time and influences their buying decisions.
The company under its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Eko Disco, Dr. Tinuade Sanda, has held periodic customer forums in Ajah, Ibeju and areas under its network to assure customers that the management is aware of the issues affecting power supply in the areas.
Distribution companies (DisCos) have argued that electricity theft is one of the leading causes of the liquidity crisis in Nigeria’s electricity supply market. The DisCos claim that a relatively large number of electricity consumers do not pay for electricity used, resulting in significant financial shortfalls. Nextier Power’s discussions with DisCos reveal that about 10 to 18 percent of the aggregate revenue losses are attributable to power theft. Power theft contributes considerably to the failure of energy accountability across the value chain.
Sanda who appreciates the support of customers believes EKEDC cannot be in business without its esteemed customers. Her leadership gives listening ears to customers’ challenges, and resolves them through EKEDC’s customer service team.
However, she sternly frowns at fraudulent manipulation of electricity supply. Some Nigerians, knowingly or unknowingly, defraud the electricity supply market through various practices, such as Non-payment of electricity bills. This is one of the significant challenges faced by the electricity distribution companies. Several electricity consumers do not pay their bills in full.
There must be an effective implementation of regulations and laws is a primary challenge in Nigeria. However, some of the complaints by customers are not peculiar to EKEDC, many are due to general issues affecting electricity supply in the nation. On the issue of inadequate supply of power, the Disco, in recent times, does not get its due allocation of supply from the national grid as a result of low generation of power, and manages the insufficient one it gets from the grid.
The company is making efforts to resolve the situation such as the CBN loans for Capex projects to TCN and Discos, which will ensure procurement and rehabilitation of many electricity infrastructures to improve power supply in Nigeria. EKEDC customers are advised to key into the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme to get prepaid meters. In fact, the DisCo has commenced mobile metering within the company’s network and has assured customers that the exercise will get to their areas in due time.
It’s high time to begin installation of smart meters across the nation. Some smart meters are fitted with anti-tampering devices which alert the DisCos whenever tampering occurs. Anti-tampering devices enable remote disconnection and reconnection by the service provider. Researchers have recently discovered the 5 hertz (5 Hz) Distribution System as another technology to curb theft.
At this juncture, one must commend customers for their continued support, especially in the area of curbing energy theft, which contributes to high billings the customers are experiencing.
Though there is a disconnect between the regulation and its enforcement, many of the customers are not aware of this regulation while, on the other hand, the utilities are unable to work with the law enforcement agencies to implement the rules.
EKEDC must as a matter of urgency urge its customers to ensure a total stop to electricity theft, through more sensitization. Customers must duly inform their respective communities about electricity theft and engage their local security networks to stop the perpetrators who mostly carry out the heinous act at night.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspaper
