By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has raised alarms over the escalating rate of energy theft by customers in Kogi State. During a recent visit by members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Lokoja, the Chief Business Officer for the Kogi region, Olaseni Agunpopo, disclosed the troubling situation.
Olaseni revealed that both individuals and businesses are engaging in unauthorized energy tapping, with some bypassing meters to evade payment for the electricity they consume. He emphasized that energy theft is not only a significant blow to AEDC’s revenue but also compromises the quality of service delivery and the safety of the community.
“This menace has long plagued the power sector in the region,” Olaseni noted. In response, the company has committed to taking a tougher stance against energy theft, which may include night raids to identify and rectify illegal connections. The goal is to ensure fair billing for all customers and reduce system losses, ultimately enhancing service delivery and customer satisfaction.
He appealed to customers with outstanding bills to settle them promptly, stressing the importance of timely payments in maintaining uninterrupted service and providing reliable electricity to households and businesses in their service areas.
Olaseni assured that AEDC is dedicated to addressing complaints about electricity distribution in the region to ensure customer satisfaction.
