Oil & Energy
PHEDC Begins Customers Sensitisation In PH, Today
Authorities of the Port
Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) say the power company would officially commence its customer sensitisation programme in Port Harcourt, today.
The Assistant General Manager Public Affairs, of the Company, Mr Obi Onuwah, who disclosed this to The Tide, at the zonal office of the company said the sensitisationprogramme would start from the Diobu Business Unit of the Company and that the essence was to educate the customers on vital policies of the new regime.
Top on the agenda, according to Onuwah, was the company’s initiative to discourage cash handling, the introduction of customer-friendly billing system-Credit Advance Payment for Metering Implementation that was mandated by the Federal Government through the National Electricity Regulatory Council (NERC) and a new chat-channel between electricity consumers and the company, amongst others.
“The essence of the campaign is to ensure regular interaction with our customers so that there wont be any vacuum or communication gap between us and the customers,” the image maker said.
He explained that to discourage cash handling, PHEDC has introduced a system by which customers are expected to make their payment direct to the bank instead of coming to the company’s cash offices and collection of an e-receipt from the bank to show an evidence of payment for power supply services.
The Assistant Public Affairs Manager further stated that in a move to discourge estimated and ‘crazy’ billing system associated with the defunt Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), through the automated metering system recommended by NERC adding that the meters would arrive Port Harcourt by the end of April.
We want to reduce the issue of estimation to the bearest minimum and before the end of April, the vendors that were asked to supply us these meters would provide them and customers who have made their payment can have them, he said.
According to him, a smart single face metre costs N39,375 stressing that the Credit Advance Payment for metering implementation as mandated by NERC ensures reimbursement of the metre cost over a period of time.
“We want to encourage best practices and our customers should feel free to come to us with any challenge they have regarding their bill, power supply problem etc and we assure them of clear answers,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the problem of vandalism in Port Harcourt is reduced but that in areas like Calabar, Eket and Uyo, the story is not the same and urged members of the public to continue to partner with the company in the fight against vandalism because of its negative effects to the customers comfort and efficiency of the firm.
Though, Mr Onuwah declined comment on the fate of the company staff whose performances are below expectation but said their contracts would end in April.
Chris Oluoh
Nigeria’s losses due to crude oil theft has been said to be more significant than those of some other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC).
The Chairman, Senate Ad- hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Senator Ned Nwoko, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Nwoko noted with dismay the detrimental impact of the issue, which, he said include economic damage, environmental destruction, and its impact on host communities.
According to him, the theft was not only weakening the Naira, but also depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District described the scale of the theft as staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day.
Nwoko disclosed that the ad hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft, which he chairs, recently had a two-day public hearing on the rampant theft of crude oil through illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and the systemic gaps in the regulation and surveillance of the nation’s petroleum resources.
According to him, the public hearing was a pivotal step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the nation.
‘’Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually to crude oil theft. This is severely undermining our economy, weakening the Naira and depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social development.
‘’The scale of this theft is staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day more than some OPEC member nations produce.
‘’This criminal enterprise fuels corruption, funds illegal activities and devastates our environment through spills and pollution.
‘’The public hearing was not just another talk shop; it was a decisive platform to uncover the root causes of crude oil theft, bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
‘’It was a platform to evaluate the effectiveness of existing surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms; Identify regulatory and legislative gaps that enable these crimes to thrive.
‘’It was also to engage stakeholders, security agencies, host communities, oil companies, regulators, and experts to proffer actionable solutions; and strengthen legal frameworks to ensure stricter penalties and more efficient prosecution of offenders”, he said.
Nwoko noted that Nigeria’s survival depended
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) has called on Nigerian companies to position themselves strategically to take full advantage of the growing opportunities in upcoming offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
The Managing Director, SNEPCO, Ronald Adams, made the call at the 5th Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) Conference, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, last Thursday.
Adams highlighted the major projects, including Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North, and the Bonga Main Life Extension, as key areas where Nigerian businesses can grow their capacity and increase their involvement.
“Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) says Nigerian companies have a lot to benefit if they are prepared to take advantage of more opportunities in its offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
“Projects such as Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North and Bonga Main Life Extension could grow Nigerian businesses and improve their expertise if they applied themselves seriously to executing higher value contracts”, Adams stated.
Adams noted that SNEPCo pioneered Nigeria’s deepwater oil exploration with the Bonga development and has since played a key role in growing local industry capacity.
He emphasized that Nigerian businesses could expand in key areas like logistics, drilling, and the construction of vital equipment such as subsea systems, mooring units, and gas processing facilities.
The SNEPCO boss explained that since production began at the Bonga field in 2005, SNEPCo has worked closely with Nigerian contractors to build systems and develop a skilled workforce capable of delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget both in Nigeria and across West Africa.
According to him, this long-term support has enabled local firms to take on key roles in managing the Bonga Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which reached a major milestone by producing its one-billion barrel of oil on February 3, 2023.
The Emohua Local Government Area Administrator, Franklin Ajinwo, has pledged to improve electricity distribution in Oduoha Ogbakiri and its environs.
Ajinwo made the pledge recently while playing host in a courtesy visit to the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, in his office in Rumuakunde.
He stated that arrangements are underway to enhance available power, reduce frequent outages, and promote steady electricity supply.
The move, he said, was aimed at boosting small and medium-scale businesses in the area.
“The essence of power is not just to have light at night. It’s for those who can use it to enhance their businesses”, he said.
The Administrator, who commended the peaceful nature of Ogbakiri people, urged the Chiefs to continue in promoting peace and stability, saying “meaningful development can only thrive in a peaceful environment”.
He also charged the Chiefs to protect existing infrastructure while promising to address the challenges faced by the community.
Earlier, the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, led by HRH Eze Goodluck Mekwa Eleni Ekenta XV, expressed gratitude to the Administrator over his appointment and pledged their support to his administration.
The chiefs highlighted challenges facing the community to include incessant power outage, need for new transformers, and the completion of Community Secondary School, Oduoha.
The visit underscored the community’s expectations from the LGA administration.
With Ajinwo’s assurance of enhancing electricity distribution and promoting development, the people of Oduoha Ogbakiri said they look forward to a brighter future.
By: King Onunwor