Ikeja Electric partners community leaders to check energy theft

The management of Ikeja Electric (IE) in Lagos, on Thursday, said it was partnering with community leaders in its area of jurisdiction to check energy theft.

Mr Pekun Adeyanju, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, who made the disclosure did not disclose the worth of energy lost to theft. He said that more than 28 per cent of the company’s energy was stolen by unknown elements.

He said that the company was meeting with stakeholders in various communities within the zone to sensitise them on evil of energy theft.

“The company has started educating our consumers through their community leaders on the evil of energy theft. We have made them to realise that they are the ones paying for all those people illegally connecting to our electricity poles in the evening. It is those consumers that connected illegally within an area that contribute to outrageous billing because the company bills according to energy consumed monthly in an area.

“This is the best time to expose them so that they will start paying for what they are consuming. We have created a forum for them to come and report illegal connections in their communities with the promise that we will protect their identity,’’ the spokesman said.

Adeyanju also said that Ikeja Electric would soon check its equipment to know the number of old transformers and bad conductors contributing to energy loss.

He said that the overall equipment check would enable the company to verify overload and cables that needed to be replaced.

Adeyanju said that they were aware of load shedding in many communities within the zone and the need for transformers upgrading.

He said that the company would after its equipment comprehensive check effect either change or upgrade most of the transformers.

The spokesperson also reassured electricity consumers within the zone to cooperate with the company to serve them better.