IKEDC spends N800m to sustain power supply in six months – CEO

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company spent over N800 million to sustain power supply in the last six months of operation, Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, has said.
Ajifowobaje, who made the statement on Friday in Lagos, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, said the money was spent on the rehabilitation of vandalised transformers.
Ajifowobaje added that it was also used to replace under-sized overhead conductors, completion of abandoned distribution projects, amongst others.
Ajifowobaje said the company had upgraded its contact centre to enable customers get quick response to their complaints.
He said that customers could speak to IKEDC’s customer service personnel in English and the major local languages.
The CEO said the company was also partnering with the Lagos State Government on the conservation of energy, in order to reduce wastage of electricity by consumers.
He said the management was working in conjunction with its technical partners, Korea Electric Power Company, to achieve accuracy in meter reading.
Ajifowobaje said: “KEPCO is spearheading an exhaustive review of IKEDC’s network to ensure effective reading of meters and reduce energy losses through continuous upgrade and optimisation of the company’s installations and facilities.
“IKEDC has also centralised its billing system to enhance accuracy and introduced the Automatic Meter Reading System, which drives remote access to meters for efficiency and effective monitoring.
“This will promote transparency in billing and eradicate energy theft.”
Ajifowobaje said the company was also involved in ongoing talks with several partners to supply power from Independent Power Projects and other sources to improve electricity supply.
He, however, decried the spate of vandalism of the company’s installations and facilities.