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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