EEDC shops for 740mw to steady power supply

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, has given reasons as to the cause of epileptic power supply to its customers.

Addressing customers at a town hall meeting held at Oakland Events Centre, Enugu, Thursday, EEDC Head of Operations, Vincent Ekwekwu, said that the company requires not less than 740 mega watts of electricity to ensure steady power supply, the Transmission Company from where they buy the power only supplies them with 220 mega watts.

He explained that it pains them that they cannot supply to their numerous customers with adequate power for their private and corporate needs.

The head of operations used the opportunity to inform customers that they are prepared to serve them better from now hence, pointing out that they will replace faulty transformers and service serviceable ones.

He said that on no account should individuals, communities and governments provide metres to their customers because it is their responsibility to provide transformers and other materials.

He charged customers to report anybody that tells them to bring money to replace damaged transformers or other electrical installations.

“It is the responsibility of EEDC to replace transformers and effect repairs when they develop faults. Help us to stop corruption among the staff of EEDC. We don’t charge customers to do anything for us. It is illegal,” he declared.

Speaking earlier, Head of Communications, Emeka Eze, said that they are prepared to provide metres to all their customers but pointed out that they have the challenge of customers bypassing their prepaid metres.

Eze lamented that in Awkunanaw District alone, over 80% of prepaid metres were bypassed, hence they lose revenue that should accrue to them.

“Over 80% of prepaid meters in Awkunanaw are bypassed. That’s part of the things delaying us. We shall meter everybody but it has to be gradual,” Eze declared.

On the high bills people complain about, the Head of Communications explained that EEDC alone does not take the money but shares the proceed with what he called ‘the Value Chain,’ that include the GENCOs and Transmission Companies, among others.

He said that they were prepared to improve on their customer service and for this reason, they have 147 customer service centres and established 24 hour call centres were customers can call to lodge complaints over poor service and sharp practices.

Customers who spoke at the occasion wanted nothing other than that they be provided with workable and functional prepaid meters because estimated billing is evil and should be discontinued forthwith.