IKEDC seeks light for all, sight for all

There is been a close connection between light and sight since the beginning of the ages. According to scientists, without light, there would be no sight as the visual ability of humans and other animals is the result of the complex interaction of light, eyes and brain.
Science tells us that we are able to see because light from an object can move through space and reach our eyes.
Then follows signals to the brain and ultimate deciphering of the appearance, location and movement of the objects in our sight.
Perhaps, it is this close relationship between light and sight that influenced the decision of the new management of Ikeja Distribution Company to collaborate with Unite for Sight Nigeria to organise a free eye care programme for residents of Ikorodu and Odogunyan axis of Lagos State.
The programme, which held from January 2 to 3, 2014, was part of the company’s consumer engagement activities aimed at giving back to the society whilst educating the public on its role in ensuring the nation achieves affordable, efficient and sustainable power supply in the nearest future.
Residents of Ikorodu enjoyed free access to eye screening, minor eye treatments, distribution of eyeglasses and eye drugs, cataract surgeries and eye health education to raise public awareness on the need for regular eye checks.
Prior to the Sight for All exercise, IKEDC had also collaborated with Agboyi-Ketu Ward Health Committee Alliance in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area on December 23, 2013 to offer free medical care to residents.
The exercise included free high blood pressure checks, HIV counseling, diabetes check, drug prescription and free treatments.
The forum provided a platform to educate residents on the need for regular health checks and hazards of self-medication.
The high point of both exercises was the open discussion on the state of power in the nation. Contrary to expectations that the handover of power assets to new investors would result in immediate solutions, IKEDC explained to its customers that the transfer had only begun a process that would culminate in enhanced power supply in the nearest future.
IKEDC’s management told customers that the scheme, apart from being an opportunity to give back to the society, was designed to provide a platform for IKEDC to interact closely with the public to create better understanding of its activities as well as the rights and the responsibilities of electricity consumers.
IKEDC appealed for the patience and understanding of electricity customers as it moves to redefine service in the sector through continuous global affiliations, investment in new technology and human capital development.
IKEDC has the Korean Electric Power Corporation, a globally renowned power company, as technical partners.
KEPCO, the largest electricity utility company in Asia in terms of Transmission and Distribution, has six generation subsidiaries with 84,000MW capacity, several subsidiary companies and a global efficiency record of a maximum downtime period of slightly above three minutes annually.
The company provided answers to critical questions from residents on inadequate power supply, metering, estimated billing, and vandalism of power equipment, among others.
Flyers containing contacts of its principal officers and answers to Frequently Asked Questions were distributed to enhance the process of understanding IKEDC and providing a feedback platform.
IKEDC assured the residents of the areas that there would be more CSR initiatives and consumer education exercises in other areas of Lagos to establish a partnership with the public in the quest for a new dawn of uninterrupted power supply in Nigeria.