‘Corruption, Challenges To Power Reforms’

For the on-going reform in the power sector to  yield the much desired results, corruption which is a major factor militating against the development of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) must be tackled headlong.

The Chief Executive Officer of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), Fatai Onanuga stated this at a sensitization programme of PHEDC’s Anti-corruption Transparency Unit (ACTU)  held Thursday in Port Harcourt.

He said that the management of PHEDC was aware that some officials within the company are still aiding  and abating  corruption.

“Because of the activities  of these  bad eggs, we have established the anti-corruption units of Port Harcourt Electricity  Distribution zone.

He said the step was taken to bring the units closer to customers of the company and also to ensure that every complaint  is addressed immediately.

Mr. Onanuga  who used the opportunity  to review the activities of the company since 2009 noted that a lot have been done to  improve services to the people.

“PHEDC zone has done a lot in the upgrading, replacement of facilities, installation of injection substations and transformers as well as logistics to improve services to our customers”, HEDC boss said.

The national chairman of ACTU of the PHCN, Mr. Christopher Enendu explained that giving and receiving of bribes, falsification of records and wrong billings were among corrupt practices that were still being perpetrated in PHCN.

He emphasised that because of these, PHCN has been stigmatized as one of the most corrupt government agencies in the country and appealed to PHCN staff and members of the public to wage  total onslaught against corruption.

An address presented by the PHEDC zonal chairman of ACTU , Mrs. Rose Ezeoke disclosed that her unit, since inauguration in 2007 had received 32 reports of corrupt practices involving PHCN workers.

Out of this number, she said 28 have been thoroughly investigated and the erring staff disciplined while four cases are still being investigated and noted that most of the reports came in form of phone calls and SMS.

Mrs. Ezeoke said that fighting corruption in PHCN, requires collective efforts of the management, ACTU and the public and urged members of the public to take advantage of phone numbers written in the company fliers and handbills to report any corrupt case to the anticorruption unit for effective service delivery.

“ACTU cannot succeed in fighting corruption without the support from the public. We explore you to take advantage of phone numbers written in our fliers and handbills to report any corrupt case to  us”, she advised.

The sensitization programme was attended by PHCN customers, media, Business unit manager, Accountants and Public Affairs officials PHCN from Port Harcourt zone which covers Rivers Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

Chris Oluoh