EKEDC begins anti-energy theft campaigns

In a move to end energy theft in various forms, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company has embarked on a network-wide awareness campaign against the menace.

The initiative was a part of the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce technical and commercial losses and improve the reliability of power supply to its customers, said the company’s spokesman, Babatunde Lasaki.

In a statement on Thursday, he identified energy theft, which includes meter bypass and tampering, illegal connections, and tampering with electrical infrastructure, as a significant challenge facing Nigeria’s power sector.

According to Lasaki, these unlawful activities result in a substantial loss of revenue annually, ultimately affecting the company’s ability to invest in network improvements and provide quality service to paying customers.

“Energy theft also results in severe safety hazards by illegal channels to utilise electricity,” he added.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of EKEDC, Mrs Rekhiat Momoh, appealed to customers to support the organisation in its move to eradicate energy theft and other associated illegal activities hindering its growth.

She said, “Energy theft is a menace that we need to eliminate in our network and the power sector.  We lose billions annually to it and it affects our ability to invest in network expansion and infrastructure upgrades required to bring the desired stable power supply.”

Momoh further advocated against vandalism of the firm’s installations, appealing to customers, communities and other stakeholders to get involved in safeguarding the equipment meant for public use.

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