The biggest electric distribution company – Ikeja Electric Distribution Company on Wednesday engaged its numerous customers across the length and breadth of its network on a stakeholders
engagement.
The event is one of the means the Electric giant engages its customers and also serves as a feedback mechanism.
The need for customers to avoid contact with electrical installations especially at the period of rains was the opening of the meeting as the company demonstrates is unwavering position on safety first.
Mr. Ayeni Akinola, top executive of its corporate communications department reeled out some of the recent investments by IE towards ensuring regular and affordable power supply that include the installations of about 500 transformers across IE’s, the upgrading of some of its substations in Ikeja, Akowanjo and Abule-Egbe axis of its network in the last couple of months; while recognising the enormous challenges of meeting with the demands of customers that is endless that involves gas supply, power generation and transmission.
He noted that, despite the number of transformers so far installed there are still the need for more but however employ customers for more patience as IE is working round the clock to meeting with their demands, he stressed the understanding for those with damaged transformers that it may look like the company is silent but that efforts are concerted towards replacements.
On the issue obtaining prepaid meters Engr. James Timothy highlighted the processes of obtaining a prepaid meter; that include first, a prospective customer to ensure that he/she gets Account number.
Which will enable IE/MAP team carry out the required survey towards identifying the customers readiness and the quality of cables for the connection amongst others. After a successful survey a code for payment will be generated. Upon payment a customer is expected to get his/her meter installed within a ten day period.
He quickly admitted that though in the recent times customers may have witnessed delays which he notes is hinged on two major factors , the current shortage of meters been experienced and the lack of provision of adequate information on KYC which has resulted to difficulties in tracing or contacting customers.
He further reiterated that the prices of a single face and that of three face meters remains at N63,061.32 and N117,910.69 respectively.
Energy theft remains an ongoing issue discussed during the over two hours virtual meeting.
Though IE admitted putting measures in place towards the eradication of energy theft through implementation of technology as stated by Engr. Shobanjo but appeals to customers to also help in watching out for those criminal elements among them, noting that energy theft is a criminal act. He also acknowledged that the company’s efforts are yielding positive results as the reported figure of 5,933 of last period reviewed is far lesser than previous. He enjoined customers to report those thieves through any of its platforms.
Vandalism is another challenge Ikeja Electric is faced with according to its figures about 108 transformers have been vandalized in the last one month and its appealing on communities to help in safeguarding these installations as it has become a dangerous trend in energy supply and unsustainable to the existence of the company.
IE frowns at the manhandling of its personnel by customers and enjoined customers not to take the laws into their hands but make sure that its platforms are utilized in the case of reporting its erring staff.
Available channels for complaints and whistleblowing include: telephone 01-7000250 email: customercare@ikejaelectric.com , or ikejaelectric.com/singleview while the
whistleblowing platforms is designed to report issues such as ; reporting a personnel, faulty installations, extortion.
On the credibility of the whistleblowing platform, he noted that aside from members of the directors of the company seeing the report that the platform is managed by a third party organization with years of credibility -Delloit.
A whistleblower can earn a reward between 5-10% depending on matters involved.
The climax of the stakeholders engagement that almost hundred guests was its question and answer session that provided solutions to some of the challenges customers are faced with and the need to maintain the channel of engagement for on the spot assessment of issues.
While thanking participants for their time and patience Mr. Ayeni Akinola reiterated the passion of Ikeja Electric to service by puttingbits customers first and a quality service.
