EEDC, customers brainstorm on improved power supply

By Phil Okose, Onitsha

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, and her customers, weekend, at De Lumen Suites, GRA, Onitsha, Anambra State, brainstormed on improved power supply.

Addressing the customers/electricity consumers, the Managing Director, MD/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Praveen Chorghade, described the session as a platform earmarked periodically for interaction with the customers towards having improved power supply.

The MD/CEO who was ably represented by the Head, Corporate Communication, Emeka Ezeh, disclosed that the Covid-19 pandemic stopped the constant  EEDC/customer session adding that it would now continue to be held

“This Customer Engagement Session is to reach out to our customers and we do this to get direct impact with our customers. The whole idea is to serve you, customers. It is obvious that any consumed power must be paid for now, unlike what was obtainable in the past when we off set the bills sometimes on our own.

He revealed that presently Southeast receives nine per cent of the power supply and as such will not be distributed to all even as it contributes to epileptic power supply sometimes but expressed optimism that with time there would be improvement.

“When customers pay for power supply to them we collect only 27 per cent of the money paid and remit the bulk sum to the authority that gave us the power supply. Some people don’t even know if we don’t pay we are disconnected,” he further disclosed.

Contributing, Head, Commercial , Central 2, Nwachukwu Obinna,  lamented vandalization of EEDC transformers and equipment and urged the customers to always expose such vandals.

“We deliver quality service and want feedback from customers with a view to improving on power supply. Transformer vandalization affects most consumers, any transformer that goes down affects many. Also on meter procurement. If you pay for metre we supply it to you within 24 hours and recover the money through power supply payment. The thing is that the payment you make will be paid back to you,” he explained.

In their various remarks, the Head, Customer Service, Ijeoma Ogudebe, Onitsha District Business Unit  Manager, Ojiako Samuel, Ogidi District Business Unit Manager, Samuel M. Izuagu, Engr Dr. Francis Iwu, Head, Health Safety and Environment, stressed the need for cooperation by all towards improved power supply.

Also, Uju Okafor, of Customer Service, said the interactive session was meant for all who live within the three Districts of Onitsha, Ogbaru and Ogidi, adding that customer service centres are scattered all over the three Districts for complaints and assistance.

In their response, some of the customers expressed satisfaction with the session and urged the EEDC not to relent in ensuring constant sessions.

Among those who expressed their satisfaction included, Uchechukwu Aniebue, Sunday Udensi, Echezona Ike, Dr. Igwenazor Nchekwube, among others