The management of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has committed over N600 million to boost power supply to customers under IKEDC’s coverage area even as it has begun the distribution of pre-paid meters to customers.
Speaking during a customer forum, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, IKEDC, Engr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje said the DISCO deployed the funds to drive ongoing IKEDC infrastructure upgrade and the installation of 6,000 pre-paid meters in the next one month.
“We have begun the installation of pre-paid meters for about 6,000 customers, who had earlier paid for the meters, and other categories of customers will follow shortly under our robust and comprehensive metering plan. These projects are being driven by about N600m which the board made available for quick intervention on transformer installation, re-conductoring of undersized overhead lines and pre-paid meter installation. We have started the pilot metering scheme which will ensure effective service to our customers,” he said.
According to Ajifowobaje, the company has also commenced phased installation of 115 transformers in different locations of the IKEDC’s network. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of April, 2014, in addition to the acquisition of thirty 500KVA distribution transformers and replacement of aluminum conductors on ten 11KV feeders.
He said the new transformers and the replacement of conductors will enhance effective distribution and boost the performance of facilities on IKEDC’s network. “These projects are in keeping with IKEDC’s commitment to ensuring improved service delivery as the company continues to upgrade its infrastructure and introduce capacity building initiatives to match global standards and facilitate equitable power supply to our esteemed customers,” he said.
Appealing to members of the public to adopt an ownership approach to IKEDC facilities and installations in their localities, Ajifowobaje said IKEDC had since secured the support of security agencies in its quest to stem the rising tide of vandalism of its equipment and installations across the state.
He said such acts of vandalism have cost the DISCO over N45 million to effect replacements and maintenance of compromised equipment, a development he described as a setback to the expansion of IKEDC network.
“As we continue to roll out our infrastructure upgrade programme, we appeal to our customers to report any suspicious activities around IKEDC equipment to the law enforcement agencies or any of our business units. It is a criminal offence for unathourised persons to tamper with IKEDC facility or equipment and we have the full backing of the law to ensure that defaulters are prosecuted,” he added.
