Port-Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PH ED) has appealed to its customers to desist from attacking its staff in its offices and on the field.
The call by the company follows alarming spate of recurrent attacks by customers on the company staff across its operational area in Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa lbom states.
Manager, Corporate Communications, PHED, Mr. Jonah Iboma, said that a situation where customers disrupt PHED services on the guise of grievances arising from power outage or dispute over bills was unnecessary.
He added that power outage does not warrant attack on staff as the problem was due primarily to a fall in national generation as well as transmission limitation.
According to him, customers that have issues with their bills should approach the company for explanation or resolution of such issues, adding that PHED does not determine electricity tariff but rather the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.
In Yenagoa, Bayelsa, some aggrieved customers attacked staff and locked up the office gate of PHED office on Monday 28th March,.
In lkot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom state, youths recently attacked PHED staff who were carrying out disconnection of customers over unpaid bills
Mr. lboma revealed that PHED had been holding several consultations with different customer classes in order to sensitise them on the need to collaborate for the development of the industry. He also revealed that the meters were now being procured in order to address the current metering gap.
“The company has put a scheme in place to roll out 200,000 meters for customers this year, which will go a long way to ensure customers pay for only energy consumed. He added that the company has invested huge sums to ensure reliable network for improve power supply”, Iboma said.
Therefore, he urged customers to demonstrate understanding and be patient with the company as every business need the support of its clients to succeed.
Iboma said the attack on staff needed to stop in order for the company to effectively carry out its responsibilities. He added that protests based on the new tariff was unnecessary as the company has put in place measures to help customers control their consumption and also get the best form service supply. ###
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