By Adedapo Adesanya
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has assured customers within its franchise area of steady power supply during the Yuletide.
The assurance was given by Mr Oyebode Fadipe, AEDC General Manager Corporate Communications, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Mr Fadipe said that in order to ensure steady supply during the period, a special rapid response team has been set up to reinforce and strengthen the existing structure.
He said that the team was set up to respond to customers’ complaints with dispatch.
“We recognise the fact that the demand for electricity always increase during the festive season just as customers have zero tolerance for interruptions as always.
“That is why we have set up the special rapid response team that will respond to complaints quickly in order to clear whatever fault is reported.
“While wishing customers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year, AEDC urged them to adhere strictly to the safety protocols associated with the use of electricity and resist the urge to resort to unlawful use of electricity,” he said.
Mr Fadipe also said that the payment for electricity by customers was critical to the survival of the company just as the safe use of the commodity by the customers.
“Just as we are committed to an uninterrupted power supply, customers too must be committed to a tradition of paying for the electricity they consume as this is a critical survival determinant for the industry.
“AEDC will, however, not hesitate to disconnect customers that fail to settle their electricity bill accurately and at the appropriate time,” he said.
On the issue of the national mass metering, he said, that the programme was progressing steadily within its franchise area.
He also reiterated the company’s readiness to meter all customers who currently do not have a meter or whose meters are malfunctioning.
AEDC is one of the 11 power distribution companies that was successfully privatized and handed over to new investors on November 1, 2013.
As a result of the takeover, KANN Utility Limited (KANN) became the majority shareholder with 60 per cent equity in AEDC while the Federal Government of Nigeria holds 40 per cent equity in the company.
It services four key locations: the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Kogi, and Nassarawa States.
Modupe Gbadeyanka