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Electricity company to step up pre-paid meters distribution process
By Kunle Kalejaye
The Management of Nigerian electricity company Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company said is set to step up the distribution process of prepaid meters within it zone.
Reaffirmed its commitment to implementing Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s 18-month deadline for adequate metering in the country the Chief Executive Officer, IKEDC, Mr. Chris Akamnonu, noted that already, the company had been installing 6,000 meters every month, and would step up the process to 9,000 by August, 2012.
The decision to step up the process, he said, was in line with NERC’s directive that Nigerians were adequately metered within its given timeline.
He said, “Currently, we meter every new customer as they come. We don’t want to be estimating electricity bills for new customers.”
Akamnonu said functional meters would not be replaced, while explaining that it was not only prepaid meters that give accurate billings.
“Aside from prepaid meters, other forms of meters can also give accurate billing,” he added.
Part of the revenue accruable from the new tariff, he said, would be committed to acquiring new meters.
Speaking on the reviewed tariff, the IKEDC boss said, “Government has good intentions reviewing electricity tariff. Government intention is genuine, and it is to make the sector to survive.
The revenue generated will be used to support power generation, distribution and transmission. Investors will come in based on the competitive tariff.”
He, however, said that the company had observed some billing anomalies in some areas under it, and had made conscious effort to address the inconsistencies.
Akamnonu reminded members of the public that the company had stopped the collection of meter maintenance charge and connection fee, adding, “Customers have the right to get connection wires and employ the service of a qualified personnel to do their connection.
“We charge nothing now.”
He said the company never had intentions to oppress any customer through excessive billing, stressing that customers should endeavour to present their cases, whenever they had to do so, with all sincerity and truthfulness.
Putting the growth rate of electricity consumers in the network at two monthly, he said, “We are positioned to capture and meter them as they come in, while the existing customers will also be adequately considered.
Akamnonu, however, cleared air on the raging allegations of outrageous bill linked to the new electricity tariff introduced by the Federal Government recently.
He said the series of allegation raised by some consumers in the print media are not a true reflection of what the utility company billed them during the affected period, rather it was a campaign to deter the image of the company.
He noted that the company does not reflect 300 per cent increase as insinuated by some customers, adding that the billing is “just averagely 38 per cent increase in line with the new tariff structure, while some areas are even paying lower”.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and First Exploration & Production Limited (First E&P) joint venture (JV) has donated the sum of N53 million to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nigeria.
Under the JV’s Impact First Initiative, the donation, targeted towards enhancing societal welfare, would address areas such as good healthcare and well-being, quality education as well as economic growth within the nation.
Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony, NNPC Ltd’s Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO), NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, expressed gratitude to First E & P for initiating the laudable programme.
Represented by the Deputy Manager, External Relations, NUIMS, Mrs. Edith Lawson, Wunti highlighted NNPC Ltd’s belief in the power of CSR, stressing that the Company remains committed to working with its partners to impact the lives of the less-privileged.
Wunti said under the initiative, projects and programmes executed include the provision of classrooms, ICT Centres, laboratories and other infrastructural intervention projects, scholarships, quiz competitions, skill acquisitions, and economic empowerment, a testimony to NNPC’s dedication to fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.
Wunti described First E & P’s foresight and leadership as commendable, adding that the partner has spearheaded the initiative towards meaningful change that will ensure a better future for all Nigerians.
Among the beneficiaries of the donation were the Irede Foundation, which provides custom-made artificial limbs to child amputees aged 0-18 and Human Development Initiative (HDI), which focuses on tackling fundamental issues of poverty, injustice, neglect, deprivation, and equality among vulnerable people.
Others were the OISA Foundation, which transforms lives through interventions in the education and healthcare sectors; Cerebral Palsy Center, which renders support to families with children with cerebral palsy as well as the Niola Cancer Care Foundation, which organises awareness talks and screens communities for colon cancer.
In a heartwarming gesture, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, has announced plans to arrange marriages for 100 female orphans who lost their parents to banditry in Mariga Local Government Area.
Sarkindaji stated that he will cover the grooms’ dowries and has already obtained all necessary items for the collective wedding event.
The selected girls were chosen from a group of 170, as part of the Speaker’s constituency empowerment project to support the underprivileged.
Sarkindaji further revealed that the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau, will serve as guardians for the 100 female orphans during their collective marriage ceremony.
The event, scheduled for May 24 in Bangi, Mariga Local Government Area, will also be attended by Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, the Kano State Commander General of the Hisbah Board.
Alfred “Al” Blaschke, aged 106 years and 327 days, has once again soared to new heights, reclaiming his Guinness World Records (GWR) title as the oldest person to tandem skydive.
With fearless determination, Blaschke took the plunge, defying gravity and reasserting his place in history.
However, his achievement was eclipsed when a Swedish woman, Rut Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson, aged 103 years and 259 days, took to the skies for a skydiving adventure, momentarily breaking his record.
“That was my dream […] I never thought I’d be around this long,” Al said at the time.
Blaschke’s first skydive occurred three years earlier, on his 100th birthday.
In his latest feat, at the age of 106 years and 327 days old, Blaschke reclaimed his title with another daring skydiving adventure.
Notably, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined him on this occasion, experiencing his inaugural jump alongside the seasoned daredevil.
Blaschke told GWR, “If you think you can’t, you’re just underestimating yourself. Everyone is more capable than they think. They just need to make the decision to try.”
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