IK, EKEDC warn staff over illegal disconnection of pre-paid meter consumers

LAGOS – The two electricity distribution companies in Lagos State on Thursday urged consumers on pre-paid meters to report any member of their staff who unlawfully disconnect them from the national grid.
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They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that such a staff member could be dismissed if found guilty.
They said it was wrong for any of their officials to do so because such consumers were on pay-as-you-consume.
Mr Pekun Adeyanju, the Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Ikeja Electrics (IK), urged consumers to report any of such case to the nearest business unit within the area.
Adeyanju said that such a worker would be punished according to the law if found guilty after proper investigation.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
He added that it was uncalled for, for any of its staff member to assume a house was on analogue billing whereas the house had pre-paid meter.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
According to him, IK has the record of every pre-paid meter consumer within its network, which its staff were aware of.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
He urged the consumers to always ask of the identity of any person who claimed to come from the company.
“It is wrong to disconnect any consumer on prepaid meter billing; but if it happens that any of our staff is engaged in such an act, they should report him to our nearest unit.
“Such a staff member will be dealt with according to the law,” he said.
Mr Ademola Adegoke, Principal Manager, Public Affairs Division, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), condemned such a disconnection.
Adegoke said it was illegal for any of its worker to disconnect prepaid meter consumers without a tangible reason.
“However, the management can order for a disconnection if found to have by-passed the pre-paid meter.
“Some consumers within the network often cheat and defraud the government, by-passing their prepaid meters.
“If such a consumer is caught, his source of power will be disconnected and he will pay N50,000 fine before power is restored to him,” Adegoke said.
He urged consumers to play by the rules to avoid embarrassment from any of its staff. (NAN)