AEDC reiterates commitment to customer satisfaction
By Rita Iliya
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), says it is undergoing a transformation aimed at turning around the company’s fortune and improve customer satisfaction.
Mr Chijioke Okwuokenye, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AEDC, disclosed this on Wednesday in Minna.
He explained that the company’s transformation was centred around educating customers, improving network reliability and security as well as investing in infrastructure upgrades.
“The ability to satisfy and educate customers is the heart of transformation, we are uplifting our staff to ensure we have the right set of people to drive through transformation,” he said.
He disclosed that the company had installed over 6,150 meters in Niger under the Meter Asset Provider and Meter Acquisition Fund scheme and commenced refunding customers that have paid for them.
Okwuokenye said that the company loses large revenue monthly in Niger due to various challenges ranging from non-payment of bills and energy theft.
Also speaking, Mr Sam Odekina, Chief Business Officer of AEDC in Niger, said the company had identified unwillingness of customer to pay for electricity consumed as major challenge.
He said that the issue has resulted in a significant revenue deficit, affecting the company’s ability to invest in infrastructure and improve service delivery.
“The most pervasive challenge is the wild spread of unwillingness of customers to pay for the electricity they consume.
“This is not merely a collection issue, it is a systemic problem that starves the company of the financial resources necessary for its survival.
“This has led to a deterioration of service quality and safety hazards,” he said.
He said other challenges were energy theft and vandalism which makes the company to lose revenue due to stolen energy.
He said that the company had intensified its operational efforts through interventions such as commissioning of a new substation, rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and replacement of faulty equipment.
He noted that these interventions had improved billing transparency and customer satisfaction.(NAN)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz