Business
DISCO Moves To Check Fake Electricity Bills, Manipulations
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has introduced a security barcode in its electricity bills to check fake bills, manipulations and other forms of scientific electricity theft.
The Head, Communications of EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh said this in an interview with newsmen last Sunday in Enugu.
Ezeh said the modified bill and its special outlook was part of the company’s continuous efforts to introduce initiatives geared toward ensuring enjoyable customer experience.
He said the new features on the new bill included a summary of previous balance and last payment made by the customer, “a barcode (code number), which is a security feature.’’
“It also contains details of feeder and transformer; name and phone number of the marketer in charge as well as pictorial representation of customer’s meter reading.
“At the back side of the bill is the EEDC call center number as well as address of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) forum offices within EEDC coverage area, including their phone numbers and email addresses.
“It also contains details of respective reconnection fees and other relevant information for the customer,’’ he said.
Ezeh said that as part of the initiative to create technological driven innovations, the company would soon deliver electricity bills to customers via email prior to their receiving the hard copy.
“For now, our customers receive notification alert on their phones, acknowledging payment of electricity bills made; and this comes at no cost to the customer.
“We, therefore, encourage our customers who are not yet enjoying this service to go ahead and update their data via our website or at any of our customer service points,’’ he said.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.