“How we will fix the power issue in Ibeju by December,” Dr. Tinuade Sanda + Full account of what transpired at the periodic customers engagement forum of the power utility firm
The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has committed to ending the over four years prolonged power outage in the Ibeju Lekki Area of Lagos State on or before December 2023 by deploying sufficient capital expenditure (capex) for the procurement of distribution infrastructure to boost supply in the area.
Platforms Africa reports that Dr. Tinuade Sanda, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, EKEDC made this known during the periodic customers engagement forum held in the District on Thursday.
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Dr. Sanda, who was represented at the forum by Mr, Aik Alenkhe, Chief Human Resources Officer(CHRO) emphasised that the company is committed this time to bring relief to the residents of Ibeju-Lekki, who have been without electricity for over four years.
Alenkhe noted that so much is being done at the moment to improve the power supply in Ibeju-Lekki and its environs to a reasonable level daily, up from its present state.
He said, “Our mission in Eko DisCo is to improve the quality of lives of all customers by utilizing cutting-edge technology to safely, sustainably, and reliably supply electricity. That is what we stand for, and we will continue to promote this.
In addition to the power supply shortage being witnessed in Ibeju-Lekki, two major issues highlighted at the forum were the delay in meter application and debt migration.
The Chief Human Resources Officer(CHRO) said, “It is important to note that the money collected from customers is owned by all the players within the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) value chain.
The remittances to the Market Operator by the DisCos (Distribution Companies) are shared within the value chain, and the balance received by the DisCos is used for infrastructure needs, operations, and staff salaries
Speaking on how the users of prepaid meters are charged for energy usage,
Alenkhe said that the consumption of prepaid users is digitally calculated based on the electricity used within a particular period.
According to him, EKEDC has a facility installed in the head office in Marina, Lagos State, that monitors the consumption of all customers using prepaid meters.
“After deducting the amount of energy used by customers through this technology-based facility, the balance is shared on the bills of customers on estimated billings based on their consumption metrics shown by the meter on the distribution transformer.
” EKEDC calculates bills in a transparent manner accessible to all and is committed to using cutting-edge technology to simplify their operations.
He said, “After deducting the amount of energy used by customers through a technology-based facility, we then share the balance on those customers on estimated billings based on their usage shown by the meter on our distribution transformer.
“We calculate the bills in a transparent manner accessible to all and as a company, we are religiously committed to using this cutting-edge technology to simplify our operations.
He said, “Before the end of this year you are going to see improvement, and am also saying that we are still going to hold another meeting, where we will discuss the progress made in terms of infrastructure and customer service and all impacts within the very short period.
“I assure you that all the issues and concerns raised by all customers through letters of petitions will be addressed. You can take my word for it. This is not the period where a DisCo will not take the concerns of customers seriously. We are committed to meeting all the needs and satisfying the customers.
He further explained that EKEDC reconciles debts after meters have been installed through a 50/50 payment plan to allow customers to service their debt in an easier and more convenient manner.
Alenkhe said, “After migrating the customers to a prepaid system, we arrange a 50/ 50 arrangement allowing the customers to service their debt in an easier and more convenient manner.
“These are some of the information for some of the things you didn’t know before so that if anybody comes around to give you a piece of wrong information you will know that you have superior information in place.
“For people that want to apply for meters please, all payments made for the procurement of the meters are refundable. The best thing about a plan at EKEDC is that everyone has a clear idea of what not to take into the future. We are focused on how to address the supply challenges that you are having.
Alenkhe apologized to customers in Ibeju-Lekki for the unstable power supply they have been experiencing
He said, “I apologize on behalf of the management but beyond that, we are committed to what must be done to address this huge crisis through investment in infrastructure.
“There are ongoing projects to address the issue of supply instability in Ibeju-Lekki. I can assure you that by the time some of these projects are completed, even before the end of this year, the issues of supply instability that customers in Ibeju-Lekki are having will be a thing of the past,” he said.
Furthermore, Alenkhe responded to allegations that the EKEDC is not a customer-friendly company. He said that while customers are entitled to their opinions, in the Ibeju-Lekki axis, the company has a very responsive and dedicated customer complaint unit that responds swiftly to the requests of all customers.
He said, “Our portal is also available 24 hours to attend to customers’ concerns. We have a whistle-blowing platform where customers can lodge their complaints and within 48 hours our customer service department will get back to you.
“We have testimonies of customers who have benefited from this technology-driven customer service,” he said
Alenkhe therefore affirmed that all customers who have submitted petition letters to the management are assured of response within two weeks. He promised to get back to them promptly with solutions to their concerns. He said, “We have acknowledged them, and we will look into it and address all the concerns.”
High Chief Niran Obaoye, a traditional leader in the Adeba community, in Ibeju-Lekki, revealed that he has informed the management of EKEDC, the customer engagement forum should be held at least two or three times a year.
This according to him will ensure that feedback is received adequately and every issue raised at the engagement forum receives the right feedback. This will enable them to ascertain their effectiveness.
“Secondly, the feeders at Elemoro are not enough for the customers in that axis. There are three feeders there but only one feeder is energised. Whenever a fault is recorded somewhere, all the communities connected to the feeders will be thrown into total darkness.
“We are asking the management of EKEDC to energise all the feeders. The management needs to also provide motorcycles for supervisors, this is because Ibeju is a waterlogged community that cannot be assessed by vehicles.
“Some prepaid meters were distributed two years ago, and some of them are not working. Whenever there’s electricity in the area, such customers are always the victims.
“I believe the problem is not beyond solution. Of course the customers are often culpable of some of these problems that we have discussed. We are part of the problem, because of some communities. There are illegal connections here and there.
“We also need the EKEDC to checkmate and sack some of their staff aiding illegal connections, some of whom are responsible for generating revenue from them which is not supposed to be so if we are all working and cooperating with the EKEDC all those bad elements will be eliminated.
“If all of these issues are promptly addressed, then we will have steady electricity, no interruption , no illegal connection, there will be no problem and the problem will be minimized .
“We understand that Elemoro is far from the transmission station in Ajah, but then that is not a yardstick why the people in the communities should not enjoy regular electricity supply.
On his part, the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Council Development Area(LCDA), Hon. Abdulahi Olowa, who was represented at the engagement forum by Mr. Mutiu Olasunkanmi, Supervisor for Works, on his part said that is in support of all the concerns raised by residents of the community over inadequate and poor supply of electricity to Ibeju-Lekki axis.
According to him, EKEDC should endeavour to operate within the minimum standards and commit itself to the terms of the agreement with customers.
He said, “All the issues discussed at the forum are important and should be taken seriously. My people have been without electricity for over four years and this is a matter of concern. The lack of power has caused significant inconvenience and hardship for the people in the district.
“Prior to this meeting, all the residents of the district, including Igondo, Eleko, Iberekodo, Orimedu, Akodo, Magbon Alade, Dangote Refinery, Lekki Idasho, Badore, Idasho, Folu, and the rest of other villages in the Eleko environs have visited the Council threatening to embark on protest. I have to call them to order, which is why we are having this kind of conversation.
“We want to hear from the management of EKEDC to see what is being done to ameliorate the situation. We have heard from them today and we will give them the benefit of the doubt to carry out all the installations within the window of period that they sought.
“What is fundamental is that the management team of EKEDC has now realised that our people are serious about the need for improved power supply. I concur with my people that their concerns are 100 percent genuine.
” I will appeal to EKEDC to address all the issues raised by the people. There is a contract to provide electricity to all. Sadly, even the local government secretariat is not powered by the national grid to date, we run all our operations on generators and you can imagine the cost on our side.
“I will therefore urge our people to be patient a bit for Eko DisCo to carry out the installations and repair. The management of EKEDC should as a matter of concern respond to us at Ibeju-lekki. This is the fastest growing community in Lagos State, there is so much revenue to be made by EKEDC if it is serious about providing electricity at least at a minimum standard.
“I could remember 2005 when I came here, we have 24-hour light, now that this environment is developing, and more estates are being developed, the rural communities have transformed into urban centers and cities within 18 years. This is why the DisCo should be committed to upping their game.
