N843m Debt: PHCN Begins Mass Disconnection In Ekiti

The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has commenced mass disconnection of customers in Ekiti State over N843 million debts owed the company.

Mr Oarhe Evbotokhai, the Public Affairs Officer of the Ado-Ekiti Business District, made the disclosure in Ado-Ekiti yesterday in an interview with newsmen.

Evbotokhai explained that the disconnection which started last week would affect customers in Ado, Ikere, Otun, Ifaki, Ikole, Adebayo, Awo, Emure Isinbode area offices in the state.

He said that a special task force made up of the management staff of the company had been constituted by the district to ensure the effective and full recovery of the debts.

While noting that the debt was affecting the operations of the company in the state, Evbotokhai stated that some of the affected customers had refused to pay their bills for some time now.

He said: “The management of PHCN Ado-Ekiti business district has since Wednesday last week commenced mass disconnection of its customers that are owning it about N843 million in Ekiti State.

“The exercise which is a continuous one, is aimed at ensuring the full recovery of the debt with a special task force comprising the management staff to monitor the exercise in all PHCN formations in the state.

“Disconnected customers would be required to pay reconnection fees ranging from N1,000 to N10,000 depending on the category of customers in addition to the total payment of their outstanding debt before reconnection can be effected”.

The public affairs officer, who also accused some customers of engaging in illegal connections, warned that anybody found to be involved in unauthorised connections would be prosecuted.

“A special monitoring task force has been constituted and any customer or electrician who engaged in illegal connection will be handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution,” Evbotokhai warned.