“CDAs, customers must be vigilant as vandals target copper components in cables, feeder pillars”- Engr. Ukoh
“We have zero tolerance to extortion; customers should escalate cases via our social media platforms to deter staff misconduct”- Lasaki, GM Corporate Comm
Oredola Adeola
The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has assured customers in Ajah, VGC, Lekki, Eleko, Elemoro, and surrounding estates of improved bulk power supply, following the commissioning of a new 60/66 MVA 132/33KV power transformer at the 330/132kV Ajah Transmission Substation a crucial component of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).
Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, Acting Managing Director/CEO of EKEDC, represented by Mr. Joseph Esenwa, Chief Finance Officer of EKEDC, made this known at the company’s regular town hall meeting hosted by the Ajah District on Thursday.
Advisors Reports gathered that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Power Company, in collaboration with Siemens, the implementing partner of the PPI, and the Lagos Region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), commissioned the transformer on Wednesday, thereby increasing the substation’s capacity from 223 MVA to 289 MVA.
Mrs. Momoh assured the customers of EKEDC’s commitment to ensuring seamless distribution of the increased bulk power in Ajah Districts aimed at addressing the longstanding power supply issues in Ajah, Lekki, and its environs.
Esenwa on his part, noted that EKEDC has addressed all issues raised during the last town hall meeting at Ajah District and emphasized the importance of maintaining a reciprocal relationship with customers.
According to him, feedback during customer engagement is crucial to improving EKEDC’s services as a customer-centric electricity distribution company in Nigeria.
He said, “We are here to have first-hand information about how we are servicing you, whether good or bad”.
Esenwa noted that the revenue generated from customers’ payments is essential for maintaining and improving power distribution infrastructure.
“In a relationship where customers pay us as we bill them, we cannot exist without each other, customers need to understand that energy is not free, and the DisCo has monthly financial obligations to contractors, staff, and other stakeholders in the electricity supply value chain.
“The cash flow from prompt payment of electricity bills allows us to adequately service our customers. When they pay their bills on time, we can conveniently procure transformers and other necessary equipment to meet their needs,” ” the EKEDC’s CFO explained.
Esenwa said, “In an ideal situation, we would fully comply with NERC’s guidelines on procurement of transformers. However, when faced with a liquidity crisis due to outstanding customer payments, our capacity to invest in infrastructure upgrades is significantly restricted,” he explained.
He also noted that EKEDC managed over 13,000 distribution transformers within its franchise network, receiving thousands of requests daily.
“We have installed almost 200 transformers, recently procured across the network. However, this is still insufficient given the growing expansion and demand from customers.
“We ask for their patience as we work to meet their requests for distribution transformers,” he said.
Esenwa attributed the progress made by EKEDC in the last nine months to upgrades in distribution infrastructure and the company’s increased capacity to take on more power from the grid to meet customer demand.
“There are two aspects to supply efficiency—quantity and quality. If the power supply has improved, the quantum available to customers increases, leading to better service delivery,” he said.
Commenting on the recent migration of some customers from other Bands to Band A, Esenwa explained that several factors must be addressed before such migration, including EKEDC’s ability to consistently deliver power to customers and the customers’ capacity to settle their monthly bills.
“While it may be possible for EKEDC and Ikeja Electric to migrate customers to Band A faster than other DisCos across the country, it cannot happen all at once,” Esenwa said.
On the issue of metering, Esenwa also noted that it is unlikely that every customer will be metered by the end of the year.
“However, he encouraged customers to participate in the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme, which allows them to purchase meters and receive refunds through deductions on future token purchases.
Engr. Henry Ukoh, EKEDC’s Head of Distribution, in his contribution, mentioned that the TCN is monitoring the performance of the new 60/66 MVA 132/33KV Power Transformer, adding that in the coming days, it will be fully connected to EKEDC’s network with notable improvements expected not only in Ajah but also in Lekki Phase 2, Sangotedo, and the Oke-Ira axis.
Ukoh clarified that the abandoned power project on Cooperative Drive in Badore, Ajah, which is part of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention, is nearly 90% complete, assuring residents that the project is expected to be finalized before the end of 2024.
Engr. Ukoh also urged customers to be vigilant and report suspicious activities, as vandals are primarily targeting copper components in cables and feeder pillars.
“Some of these vandals are not EKEDC staff. We have zero tolerance for vandalism, and we urge the community to help safeguard the infrastructure that serves them,” he stated.
In response to complaints from customers about being asked to pay for the replacement of aluminum conductors, Ukoh revealed that EKEDC has adequate materials in its stores to meet customer needs.
He disclosed that some Community Development Associations (CDAs) are allegedly colluding with certain EKEDC staff to extort money from customers for these replacements, which should ordinarily be free.
“I have personally investigated these reports, and it has come to light that some electricity committees within the CDAs are using this ploy to extort customers.
“They demand payment for aluminum conductor replacements, although we have enough in our stores,” Ukoh said.
He urged customers to report such incidents through the proper channels, advising them to first contact their District Business Manager and, if necessary, escalate the matter to EKEDC’s headquarters.
“Customers should be aware that reporting issues through the right channels will help us address them efficiently. EKEDC is committed to improving service delivery, and we are here to listen and act on your feedback,” Ukoh concluded.
Babatunde Lasaki, General Manager of EKEDC Corporate Communications, on his part, appealed to customers to take full advantage of the townhall session and various social media platforms of the DisCo to engage directly with the top management, especially when complaints raised at the district level are not promptly addressed.
Lasaki said, “We encourage customers to always escalate their complaints to the EKEDC top management in Marina if the case is not properly handled by the district heads.
He further noted that certain problems should not take days or months to resolve, urging customers to report delays through EKEDC’s customer service channels.
He said, “We have dedicated staff working round the clock on our social media platforms to pick up complaints and ensure they are addressed promptly,” Lasaki said.
Lasaki urged customers to report EKEDC staff requesting bribes or unauthorized payments from customers immediately, either to the Business Manager of the district or directly to EKEDC’s headquarters.
“If any of our staff members request money from customers, it is important to escalate the matter promptly. This unwholesome act must be nipped in the bud,” he stressed.
“When community leaders give money to our staff, it emboldens them to continue exploiting customers.
“This often leads to repeated faults in the system, as staff intentionally create recurring issues to sustain the need for gratification,” Lasaki said.
“When customers stop offering bribes and escalate issues, our staff will no longer feel empowered to take advantage of the situation. They will fear being reported and possibly losing their jobs,” Lasaki added.
“Our staff are here to serve you, and no service should require payment beyond your regular electricity bills,” the GM Corporate Communication said.
Israel Kukuma, representing the Lekki Gardens Phase 2 Association, urged the EKEDC to improve its response time to critical infrastructure needs.
Kukuma stated that the residents of Lekki Garden have contributed over N200 million between 2020 and 2024 for the procurement of transformers, which were meant to be commissioned and energized.
“As a community, we understand the dynamics of power distribution and decided to support EKEDC in fulfilling its infrastructure commitments.
He acknowledged that while EKEDC has delivered on some of its promises in phases, a particular transformer procured in December remains unenergized.
Kukuma also urged EKEDC to reciprocate the community’s goodwill by ensuring faster resolution of infrastructure challenges and enhancing customer service.
He further raised concerns over the delay in metering, citing instances where residents of Lekki Gardens Phase 2 have applied for meters as far back as November 2023 but have yet to receive them.
“I would advise EKEDC to do better, especially for responsible customers who are willing to partner with the DisCo,” Kukuma stressed.
The EKEDC officials thanked the customer and assured of continuous improvement and pledged better service delivery.
