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