Business
PHED Partners Three Firms On Improved Power Supply
The management of Port
Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has entered into negotiation with some private firms to supply PHED imbedded power for improved service delivery to its customers.
Manager, Corporate Communications of PHED, Mr. Jonah Iboma, who confirmed this in an interview with The Tide Friday in Port Harcourt said, “we are in discussion with at least three companies and we are hoping that they will generate and sell power directly to us”.
He hinted that the major snag in taking imbedded power is the ability to recover the lost. “That is the reason why companies are not willing to supply”, he said and appealed to consumers to endeavour to pay for services to enable PHED handle the cost challenges inherent in the agreement.
Iboma said power supply has remarkably improved because the National grid is able to deliver more power for the first time due to inhabitation by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
About 4,200 MW is being generated though not all was transmitted because of transmission capacity. We have also delivered improved supply to our customers,” he stated.
The Corporate Communications Manager expressed worry over the problem of power theft and lamented that out of 5000 meters installed last year in Bayelsa State, about 4,000 were by-passed.
He urged communities to begin to talk against energy theft so that supply would not be interrupted and to also save the company from loss.
“Currently, we are arresting such offenders and a good number had been arrested. The public apathy towards power theft must change”, he said.
He further disclosed that the company would soon commence a “Speak Now Campaign” to appeal to the conscience of people against power theft.
On vandalism, Iboma said though the problem has reduced in Rivers State but noted that Akwa Ibom remains notorious as some persons were arrested last week in the state.
He attributed the reduction to numerous sensitisation programmes, adding that communities are now being more vigilant on the issue.
The communities are viewing electricity as a joint venture between the people and power companies and what affects supply affects both the people and company directly.
He appealed to the communities to continue in such spirit and always see for identification of persons tampering with facilities and to report any suspicious movements.
Chris Oluoh