Ikeja Electric Sets up Bill Dispute Resolution Panel

By Dipo Olowookere

A Bill Dispute Resolution Panel (BDRP) has been constituted by the management of Ikeja Electric Plc in a bid to mitigate protracted customer complaints.

A statement issued by the electricity distribution company explained that the panel has been established across its undertaking offices to help expedite cases of disputed bills.

Head of Corporate Communications at Ikeja Electric, Mr Felix Ofulue, explained that the panel comprises selected staff with expertise in the business operations and customer service.

He disclosed that the committee will meet with customers, once in every month across its six Business Units to resolve persistent complaints, such as from estimated billing, by customers.

According to him, the panel will be empowered to resolve these cases expeditiously relying on company processes and regulatory requirements.

Mr Ofulue noted that the idea of setting up the Dispute Resolution Panel was to quickly and amicably resolve lingering service issues raised by customers.

“In a service industry like the power sector, disputes occurring as a result of dissatisfaction from a customer are inevitable.

“However, if inadequately managed, disputes can be bad for business and even go as far as negatively impacting on the customer’s loyalty and business brand respectively.

“So, we understand that fact and we are doing the best within our control to manage our customer’s expectations,” he said.

“In line with our business objectives, we seek to be the provider of choice. Our customers need to be satisfied for us to be in business.

“The BDRP also enables customers plan their visits according to their itinerary since the panel sits for resolution once every month.

“This initiative is in addition to the daily attendance to customer complaints through the Customer Service channels and the IE offices across the network,” he added.

Mr Ofulue also pointed out that in addition to the newly introduced BDRP, the company also recently launched the E-billing of Maximum Demand customers, a paperless and seamless billing technology aimed at providing MD customers easier option of receiving their monthly bills via SMS, email and subsequently the use of USSD and IE Website.