COVID-19: Ikeja Electric says no disconnection for non-paying customers - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Nigeria’s leading electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), has suspended any kind of disconnection for non-paying customers within its franchise network with the two-weeks lockdown window of the Federal Government over the ChineseVirus-19 also known as COVID-19, reports ITREALMS.

The decision to suspend all disconnection activities was taken to allow all its customers enjoy electricity supply during the lockdown period, while giving consideration to those who cannot afford to pay their March 2020 bills due to the closure.

Revealing this, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (aCEO) of the company, Folake Soetan, said: “At Ikeja Electric, we are committed to ensuring that our customers enjoy steady and quality supply throughout this difficult period and beyond. We recognize the fact that electricity supply is critical to our ability to stay safe, clean and indoors.

“Therefore, we have also taken a decision to suspend all disconnection activities of non-paying customers for the period of two weeks starting today. This is to ensure that customers who cannot afford to pay their March bills due to the closure continue to enjoy supply until the stay at home order is lifted. Customers who also wish to pay their bills can also do so using any of our designated online payment platforms. Our prepaid customers can buy energy online using any of your preferred online banking or merchant platforms. You can also visit our website to purchase vending units,” she said.

She noted that Ikeja Electric as one of the companies designated as essential services has put measures in place to ensure that engineers and technicians are available to clear all forced and unforced outages, while also continuing with the preventive maintenance programmes.

Ikeja Electric said in line with its mantra of treating customer first, using technology now policy, the customer service representatives will be available to respond to all complaints and inquiries promptly and professionally. Ikeja Electric said it will leverage on its world class communication tools online and via social media to attend to complaints and inquiries while also increasing the turnaround time for resolution.

It also noted that all employees on essential services throughout this lock down period are committed to ensuring that customers get the best service in line with our processes and best practices. She urged customers to avoid giving any monetary inducement to any employees as they carry out the job of serving customers better.

“At Ikeja Electric the job is not done until it is done. It is our job to serve you. In carrying out their job, our trained engineers will deploy globally accepted safety procedures and practice social distancing, and all that is required to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“We, therefore, solicit the support of customers to cooperate with our staff as they carry out their duties while we restate our commitment to deliver steady electricity supply in line with our allocation,” the Disco added.

Ikeja Electric said the management and staff are keenly following developments across the country as well as advice of government and health institutions as part of concerted efforts to safeguard everyone and to make sure the workplaces remain safe.

It further urged customers to also observe precautionary measures and other safety protocols stipulated by government agencies and health organisations in order to protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Yuletide 2018: Ikeja Electric promises stable supply - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Ikeja Electric (IE) has promised a stable supply during this year's yuletide, just as it commenced the expansion of network patrol teams and field operations preemptive maintenance across its network, reports ITREALMS.

Head, Corporate Communications of IE, Felix Ofulue, said the move would see various installations undergo preemptive maintenance work, and increase in number of patrol teams to ensure swift repair of faults, stressing that the company was aware customers need stable supply of power to enjoy Christmas and New Year celebrations.

"The company is not unaware of expectations of customers to enjoy regular and stable power supply during the yuletide, so, a lot of measures have been put in place to ensure that customers’ hopes are not dashed. We have started replacing faulty cables and equipment to ensure easy evacuation of power as received from the National Grid (NG)” he said.

Ofulue also said that their Fault Clearing Teams in all Business Units have been reinforced and enhanced to meet the demands which expectedly will increase this period because of the pressure that our facilities will be subjected to.

"We are mindful that during holidays, customers in festive mood will need more supply and this load on our aging infrastructure may cause some faults and trips. Our teams are ready to ensure they are rectified in the shortest possible time” he said.

Ofulue advised customers not to resort to using those road side electricians to clear fault in their areas, adding that such people usually compounded the problem on the network.

Similarly, he informed that the metering program IE is still ongoing, urging patience from customers as the metering exercise was moving according to schedule, while indicating that some locations like Egbeda, Ifako, Oworonshoki, Ajao, Ojodu, Magodo and Abule Odu among others already enjoyed a metering density of over 50 percent.

"However, he appealed to customers within its network to settle their monthly electricity bills promptly as this provided the company the much needed resources to expand and maintain its technical/metering initiative timetables.

"The IE official cautioned against harassment of its employees on duty, noting that IE had provided multiple channels and customer care touch points through which customers may seek redress. He confirmed that customer service had expanded its teams to over 200 well trained personnel dedicated to handling customer complaints, arguably the largest in the industry, who can be reached on 01-448-3900, 01-7000-250, 0700-022-5543.

"In a related development, the recently released i-Safe App from Ikeja Electric, has been received with applause by industry watchers, as the IE relentlessly expands on its safety initiatives. The app, which allows customers to send in images and video clips of hazards in the network was recently launched on Google Play Store and is available for free downloads. The i-Safe app launch which was quickly followed by the maiden graduation ceremony of IE’s Quality Health and Safety Academy is indicative of IE’s resolve to ensure mishaps are mitigated during the yuletide.

"On behalf of the management and staff of Ikeja Electric,I wish all customers a happy holiday" he said.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Ikeja Electric bags Corporate Pacesetter - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The leading electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), has won two prestigious awards - Corporate Pacesetter (Power Sector) and HSE Campaign of the Year awards, in recognition of its HSE Initiatives and innovative approach in educating Nigerians through the use of its proprietary Power Play game, reports ITREALMS.

Presented at the 2018 Nigeria Safety Award for Excellence (9jaSAFE Award), a respected body set up to recognize the outstanding performances/initiatives of companies/organization, Individuals/groups, Schools/institutions towards promoting and raising safety consciousness.

Speaking on the awards, the company’s Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE), Engr. Jamiu Badmos noted that the recognition further testifies to our consistency, commitment to high safety standards and our drive to always improve our safety initiatives.

He said: “We are proud to be honored with these awards which not only establish us as a pacesetter in the energy sector, but also confirms that we are on the right track through all our various initiatives over the years”.

“Our track record speaks volume about our commitment to the highest standard of safety. In 2017, Ikeja Electric won the Corporate Pacesetter and Best use of Social Media amongst over six hundred (600) nominations received across the country. We also won an award in as an organization committed to Safety Excellence in 2016, while at the maiden edition in 2015, we won the Best Health & Safety Practicing organization in the Power Industry,” he explained.

In addition, Mr. Olabode Jegede, a staff in the Technical Department of Ikeja Electric emerged as one of the 9jaSAFE Torchbearers for his passionate implementation and enforcement of safety standards in operations and maintenance operations.

According to Engr. Badmos, the successive awards and others accolades were earned as result of the unrivalled commitment of the Board and Management coupled with outstanding passion of our staff for safety excellence. Through its impactful HSE policies, fatality among its staff has dropped to zero while the third party fatality has declined significantly.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Pix: Third from left, Mr Steve Doriigi, Operation Manager, Ikeja City Mall and third from right, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State and Ikeja Electric Safety Officers displaying their awards during 2018 Nigeria Safety Award for Excellence (9jaSAFE Award) in Lagos.

Ikeja Electric bags safety award - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has been honoured with the 2018 World Safety Organizations (WSO-NG) Concerned Organization of the Year, reports ITREALMS.

The award, according to the organisers, the World Safety Organizations (WSO), an International Association of HSE Professionals, said the honour was in strict adherence to high safety policy and commitment to safety of life in IE and support to ‘Making Safety a way of Life.”

In another category, the company’s Head: Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (QHSE), Engineer Jamiu Badmos, also won the prestigious WSO-NG Environmental/Occupational Safety Person of the Year 2018 for his unalloyed commitment to the growth of HSSE profession and dedication to “Making Safety a Way of Life” and thereafter appointed as Safety and Emergency Response Ready (SafERR) Ambassador.

Speaking on the awards, Engr. Badmos noted that the success and laurels achieved so far by Ikeja Electric in QHSE is a testament of the commitment of both management and staff to maintain international standard of operations in health and safety.

“As a forward thinking organization in the energy sector, we are pleased and happy that the hard-work and commitment of our employees to safety rules and standards have not gone unrecognized. Our determination to expend extra effort to enhance safety and conduct operations in a manner that adheres strictly to all regulatory requirements is a recipe for most of these awards bestowed on Ikeja Electric,” he said.

He further noted that the high safety culture which is deeply entrenched among staff is conscientiously passed to customers, contractors and partners. The company recently introduce its proprietary board game POWERPLAY to educate people on safety measures. The Board game, which can accommodate up to six (6) players is designed as an “edutainment” tool, providing critical information relating to electrical hazards and safety measures that can prevent loss of life and property.

The POWERPLAY has received positive reviews from educational institutions and professional associations for its usefulness as a vital tool to teach safety to both adults and children

In recent times Ikeja Electric has won multiple awards from local and International organizations with a recent recognition from the Lagos State Safety Commission for its outstanding commitment to safety.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Ikeja Electric says ‘We’re bridging metering gap’ - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Nigeria’s leading electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric (IE) Plc, has intensified the roll-out of prepaid meters to further close the metering gap within its network, reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this, Head, Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Felix Ofulue, said this commitment is in line with the regulator’s guideline which states that all customers have a right to a properly installed and functional meter, and un-metered customer should be issued with electricity bills strictly based on NERC’s estimated billing methodology, the DisCo emphasized that it is also poised to reduce estimated billing with the deployment of prepaid meters.

He also told ITREALMS, the company recently commenced the roll-out of 85,000 meters to cover residential customers across its six Business Units, in its first batch of renewed metering drive.

Mr. Ofulue equally said, the company remains resolute in its commitment to meter all its customers and narrow the metering gap as quickly as possible.

“Ikeja Electric wants to reassure customers and state clearly its plans to progressively reduce estimated billing thereby building customers trust in our services. At the moment, prepaid meters are being installed in different communities across the network”.

“While in other localities, pre-installation activities are ongoing and between now and the end of the year we will have concluded the first batch of the deployment. We therefore urge our customers to be patient as our ultimate objective is to ensure that all our customers are eventually metered,” Ofulue noted.

Customers across the six business units – Ikeja, Abule-Egba, Akowonjo, Oshodi, Ikorodu and Shomolu have indicated their eagerness to be issued prepaid meters to prevent being billed through estimation.

With this move, the DisCO is adding its quota in narrowing the metering gap. The recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed an increase of 1.59 percent in the number of prepaid meter customers, which is an indication that the meter gap is gradually closing.

The Federal Government has consistently enjoined the DisCos to provide meters to customers in a bid to narrow the gap, reduce complaints of high consumption charges and estimated billing, in line with the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act, 2005 to ensure an efficiently managed electricity supply industry that meets the yearnings of Nigerians for stable, adequate and safe electricity supply.

Nenye Dom/GEE

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Why Ikeja Electric deployed ACRM to reduce downtime - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

Leading Electricity Distribution Company, the Ikeja Electric Plc, has recently deployed Automatic Circuit Recloser Mechanisms (ACRM) around its Akute network axis, in a bid to improve the turn-around time for resolving faults on the network, reports ITRealms.

The device, which is used in overhead distribution systems maintenance to interrupt the circuit and clear faults, is considered a game changer in reducing downtime. The Automatic Reclosers have electronic control sensors and vacuum interrupters that automatically recloses to restore service if a fault is temporary.

According to the Chief Technical Coordinator of Ikeja Electric, Engr. Sunday Oyewole, any interruption on the network or line would cause the network to open a safety trigger or fail safe that cuts off supply to customers. This disruption generally requires a manual patrol of the network by a Technical Team, which may take several hours or days, as the case may be, for the fault to be detected and rectified before supply can be restored.

However, with the installation of the device, Engr. Oyewole confirmed that ‘the recloser automatically restores supply where a fault is temporary, which in practical terms means that instead of the extended timeframe that it may take for the lines to be patrolled and the system closed manually for customers to enjoy supply, the system automatically attempts to close and restore after a few minutes. It is vital and safe, especially in this season where power is often interrupted by storms and the rain when branches and other debris interfere with the network”.

He also pointed out that the newly acquired mechanisms were part of IE’s approved network technical expansion plan, though requiring significant financial investments. He commended customers who dutifully settled their financial obligations to IE, noting that without the inflow of funds, such investments towards strengthening and expanding the network would be hampered.

The Automated Recloser Mechanism will pilot in Akute network area following which it will be deployed on a graduated basis across the entire business network.

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Ikeja Electric promises Ikorodu customers improved supply

ITREALMS:

The Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has promised residents and customers of Ikorodu area of Lagos State an improved customer experience and supply, reports ITRealms.

IE, ITRealms gathered, is one of the nation’s electricity distribution company has assured Ikorodu residents of a boost in electricity supply, with its plans to ensure maximum utilization of the newly commissioned 2 X 60MVA transmission substation in Odogunyan, Lagos.

As a result of this new facility, the DisCo will be able to wheel more power to its customers at Odogunyan, Agbede, Odonla, Ogijo, Igbosoro, Ita-Oluwo, Poboyejo, Agodo, Cantonment, Fakale, Ita-Elewa, Odo-Kekere, Agbede, Ogijo, and environs.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held yesterday, the acting Managing Director/CEO of Ikeja Electric, Dr. Anthony Youdeowei, who was represented by the Chief Technical Coordinator, Engr. Sunday Oyewole, reiterated that the completion of Odogunyan Transmission Station by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) further provides the impetus to meet the demands of industrial, commercial and residential customers in Ikorodu.

“Ikeja Electric has commenced plans for maximum utilization of the new transmission capacity available at Odogunyan Transmission Station immediately after the commissioning exercise. Six 33 KV feeders will be radiated from the new two 60 MVA transformers immediately’, he said.

He noted that the Odogunyan substation will relieve the workload on the existing Sabo Transmission Station at Ikorodu, thereby reducing the pressure on the network for stable and quality power to customers.

According to him, in line with its commitment to excellent service delivery, the company has also embarked on network expansion and rehabilitation in order to fully utilize the new capacity in a bid to effectively deliver power to customer for sustainable socio-economic development.

“We have embarked on rehabilitation and network expansion on the aging infrastructures for excellent service delivery to customers. The development has witnessed the replacement of Power Transformer at Mangoro and Adekunle Fajuyi Injection Substations. Rehabilitated and commissioned Maryland, Ogudu and Iju Injection Substations, while Power Transformers were also reconditioned at Oke-Afa, Itire, Alausa, Adaranijo and Ekoro Injection Substations” he said.

Youdeowei further revealed that rehabilitation works are currently ongoing at Ilupeju and Alaja Injection Substations where all the 11KV panels are currently being replaced with new ones to boost more and reliable power to the areas.

The Disco boss further called on customers in its network to ensure that they settle their bills promptly to enable the company meet its financial obligations to the sector and also carry out adequate maintenance of its infrastructure.

Dignitaries who attended the commissioning ceremony include the Hon. Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN; HRM, Oba Kabiru Adewale Sotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu; MD/CEO, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed and the Honourable member of the House of Representative, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Jimi Benson, among others.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Ikeja Electric reaffirms commitment to safety, launches power play

ITREALMS:

The Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has taken its safety enlightenment campaign a notch higher with the unveiling of its proprietary board game tagged Power Play, reports ITRealms.

The game, which is novel in the electricity industry is designed as an education and entertainment tool, which provides information relating to hazards and common violations as well as other operational aspects of the business, to customers in IE network, in a family-friendly format.

During the unveiling ceremony, which was held today at the Estate Junior Grammar School, Ijaiye-Ogba, Lagos, the company’sHead of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, noted that the risks and hazards of the electricity sector needed to be communicated in a creative way, such that all customers including family units could embrace tenets of safety and care, while enjoying fun time.

“The changing communications landscape, is a major factor in IE’s quest to seek new and very innovative ways of sharing important messaging that cuts across all customer segment. We have to find creative ways to communicate to all stakeholders in a manner that is both fun and factual. This is why we have createdPower Play©and we hope it will provide helpful information that will reduce accidents, protect from hazards, help provide operational information and even save lives”, he said.

The game which is a registered trademark of Ikeja Electric, is conceptualized and manufactured locally. It comprises a segmented board, dice, tokens and labelled cards with instructions on how to play.

Ofulue pointed out that the choice of the launch location was strategic because it provide a platform to share the educational tool with the students with a view to stimulating their interest to become champions of safety education.

“We are beginning with our secondary school children aswe believe that they will best embrace the knowledge embedded in the game and of course they will champion the fun-learning process in their various families, being at a significant time of their lives where board games are still a thing of interest and adventure”, he pointed out.

Dignitaries present at the ceremony include the Director General of Lagos State Safety Commission, Hon. Hakeem Dickson; Director, HR & Admin for Lagos State Ministry of Education and CDC Chairman of Ifako/Ijaiye LG, Chief A.Onifade

Ikeja Electric continues to innovatively bridge service and communication gaps between the company and their various publics. Recent awards have followed stellar performances in the area of safety as well, an area Ikeja Electric has made giant strides, acquiring the much coveted OHSAS 18001 and the ISO 9001Certifications- the first of its kind in the industry.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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PiC: L-R, Mr. Dapo Omolade, National Coordinator, Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation, Mr. Hakeem Dickson, Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Felix Ofulue, Head, Corporate Communications Ikeja Electric and Mrs Folashade Lediju, Director of Admin & Human Resources, Lagos State, during the launching of IE proprietary "Power-Play Board Game".

Ikeja Electric wants customers to report unethical practices

ITRealms:

The electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric (IE), has launched a concerted effort aimed at curbing unethical practices across its network and also encouraging customers to report such practices, reports ITRealms.

Speaking on the launch of the sensitization program, the company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Felix Ofulue, noted that such practices, which included cases of payment fraud among others, is responsible for a sizeable percentage of the collection loss for the business.

He explained that the focus of the campaign was to provide the much-needed awareness and enlightenment to ensure that customers do not fall victims of any of these unwholesome practices.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that our customers are protected so that they do not lose any of their hard earned resources. Internally, we are strengthening our enlightenment campaign to staff and customers across our network, while we have also provided payment platforms to ease the convenience of payment of their bills,” he said.

He further pointed out that even though IE has a company policy that discourages customers from making payments to staff on the field, many customers still persuade the field staff to assist them to make the payments. Mostly, the monies are remitted, however there are instances when reconciliation of these payments becomes an issue especially where no receipts are provided to the paying customer.

Ofulue, then, called on customers to explore the several payment platforms available to them, urging them to always collect their receipt which is the only eligible proof of payment in reconciliation dispute cases.

“We have provided many robust options for our customers to pay their electricity bills so there really is no need to part with cash to people in the field, especially as we have noticed an increase in recent times of fraudsters impersonating our staff. Customers will save themselves from the inconvenience of being defrauded if they always make payments through our approved channels and collect their receipts”, he concluded.

Ofulue encouraged customers who had legitimate complaints and grievances relating to unethical practices to report such matters, by sending an email to expressyourself@ikejaelectric.com, a dedicated whistle-blowing email channel where all the reports are confidentially managed at the very highest levels.

Ikeja Electric continues to strengthen and improve its payment platforms even as it has deployed Do-It-Yourself POS devices in all of her Business Units.

Ayo Midele/GEE 

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