By Idongesit Ashameri / Correspondent, Uyo
The Eket Business Unit of Port Harcourt Distribution Company (PHEDC) has so far lost over 150 transformers to vandals. It said that seven distribution transformers ranging from 200-500Kva had been vandalized in the business unit.
The company, apart from having its properties vandalised has also recorded harassment of its staff in the line of enforcing payment of bills on defaulters.
Manager, Public Affairs of PHEDC, Mr John Onyi, disclosed this at the end of interactive session with Eket community in the Eket Council Hall. Onyi accused youths in Eket community of denying the company’s staff access to distribute bills, read meters and also ask indebted customers of their bills.
“Community hostility is another area which the company has not found funny at all. Many communities have constantly harassed, intimidated and physically assaulted members of PHEDC in the course of pursuing indebted customers.
He urged customers to pay their electricity bills promptly to enable PHEDC pay same for energy used and to buy more from power generators.
“We are not at war with any of our customers including Eket. We are in business of energy accountability.
We are in business to sell our energy so that we can maintain our network and other accessories in order to forge ahead in business,’’ he lamented
PHEDC, according to Onyi, does not have power to determine the tariff at any particular time, as downward review of tariff and fixed charge are done by NERC.
He explained that the issue of vandalism was an ugly cankerworm that has negatively affected the company, leading to great losses since its inception on November 1 to energy theft. “This is intentional act by some people to take, tap, by pass energy without paying for it. The new PHEDC frowns seriously at this,’’ Onyi said. He said that Eket business unit has two sources of supply, which include national grid and Ibom Power Plant, adding that Eket was blessed in terms of power supply.
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