By Rita Iliya
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on Thursday called for improved communication and closer collaboration with customers and the media to address concerns arising from recent power outages across its franchise areas.
Mr Omede Odekina, Head, Brand Marketing and Corporate Communications, AEDC, made the call during an interactive session with newsmen in Minna.
Odekina said that the company recognised the impact of power disruptions on homes and businesses and was taking deliberate steps to strengthen engagement with stakeholders to improve service delivery.
He noted that seasonal changes such as heavy rainfall and dry season conditions, as well as technical issues affecting feeders and transformers, had contributed to fluctuations in electricity supply in recent times.
“Power supply disruptions are sometimes caused by weather conditions, but vandalism and energy theft remain major factors.
“When vandals tamper with installations or leave open sewage around facilities, it affects everyone, there is the need for public cooperation,” he said.
He added that inadequate power generation, vandalism and energy theft were major factors responsible for load shedding.
Odekina said that the company understood the frustration customers experience during outages, adding that clear and timely communication was critical to addressing misconceptions.
“We understand how customers feel when there is an outage. It is important that we communicate clearly what is happening and ensure that issues are properly interpreted in the media.
“Strengthening communication between the organisation and our customers is key,” he said.
He added that beyond technical and weather-related challenges, vandalism and energy theft continued to undermine stable electricity supply across communities.
According to him, when vandals tamper with installations, entire communities are thrown into darkness, while energy theft places heavy pressure on the distribution network.
Odekina urged residents to embrace the “See Something, Say Something” initiative, noting that timely information from the public would help curb sabotage of critical infrastructure.
“Energy theft has negative implications for the entire system. It reduces available resources and impacts service delivery.
“We are ready to give power, but we need the cooperation of customers and partnership with the media to sensitise the public to say no to vandalism and energy theft,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Kenechukwu Ofili, Head of Customer Experience, called for improved cooperation with customers and the media to enhance communication and address challenges affecting power supply.
He noted that there was need to better understand customers’ concerns and how electricity-related issues are interpreted in the media.
In his remarks, Mr Samuel Odekina, the Chief Business Officer of AEDC in Niger, said low revenue recovery remained a major challenge.
He disclosed disclosed that the monthly energy cost was about N5.5 billion and less than 50 per cent collection.
He said the company was operating at a loss, hence the ongoing metering rollout, which began with Band A customers, while others could key into the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme to purchase meters and improve billing transparency. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Isaac Ukpoju
