The Acting Manager, Corporate Communications, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), Ms. Chioma Aninwe, has disclosed that from April 1st, 2021 the DisCo will embark on aggressive disconnections of customers who failed to adhere to standards.
Aninwe, who was referring to the rising cases of illegal meter bypass by the Disco’s customers, warned that anyone caught with such illegal practice will be disconnected with immediate effect, in line with the guidelines of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.
She explained that customers illegally bypass their prepaid meters, by passing wires through their roofs and ceilings, before connecting to their meters, thereby preventing their prepaid meters from capturing their actual energy consumption.
“PHEDC has observed with dismay the dangerous trend among its metered customers in Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross-River and Rivers state; which involves the illegal passing of wires through the roof and ceiling before connecting to a prepaid meter.
“We wish to state that this unsafe act is dangerous to both the customer and the people living around. We therefore advise customers to immediately desist from this practice as defaulters will be disconnected according to NERC regulations.
“Also note that PHED will not be held liable for any damage or loss of lives and properties that may occur from the continuous practice of this illegal act. Disconnection of customers who fail to adhere to the standard will commence on April 1,2021,” she said.
Blackout: AEDC apologises to customers in Karu, environs
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company(AEDC) has apologised to its customers in Karu and environs, for power interruption to the area, blaming it on ”technical challenges”.
AEDC’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Oyebode Fadipe in a statement in Abuja, at the weekend, explained that some technical challenges from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), were responsible for the service interruption.
”This is to inform the public that AEDC customers from Karu to Lafia have been unable to receive electricity supply since the evening hours of March 13.
“The 132 kilo Volt (KV) line from Apo Transmission Station to Akwanga Transmission Station and serving Karu Transmission Station, Keffi Transmission Station and Akwanga Transmission Station had been opened and restored late during the night hours.
“However, upon restoration, the affected transmission stations have remained on station service only, up to this moment, due to some technical challenges. Our colleagues in TCN are working around the clock to resolve this,” he said.
Fadipe said as a result of the interruption, AEDC customers in Karu, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Karshi, Mararaba, Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and environs, are currently unable to have access to electricity for their activities.
“While we sincerely apologise to the affected customers, please be informed that the TCN maintenance crew is already at work to ensure that the challenges are speedily dealt with,” he said.
However, the TCN’s, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ms Ndidi Mbah, said AEDC had been informed on March 13 of TCN’s planned annual maintenance of 150 Mega Volt Ampree (MVA) 132/33KV Power transformer (TR1) at Gwagwalada Transmission Substation.
She added that after the successful completion of the scheduled maintenance, the engineers experienced a challenge in restoring the transformer, as a result of which Apo, Karu, Keffi and Akwanga were asked to drop some load until TR 1 was restored.
TCN public manager said the company’s maintenance crew worked assiduously and were able to resolve the issue today, March 14,saying that: “ Supply would be fully restored through the transformer shortly, she said.
