‘We’re coming after you’ – Port Harcourt Disco warns energy thieves
Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc, one of the power distributors in Nigeria, has said it will “name and shame” anyone engaging in energy theft within its network.
The power firm, in a statement on Monday, expressed worry about “the spate of energy theft and other associated infractions by some customers in the system”.
It said its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Henry Ajagbawa, at a recent public forum in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, decried the negative impact of energy theft on the firm’s business.
He warned the offenders to desist from “such an unholy and wicked act capable of threatening the sustainability of the company”.
He said, “We are determined to eradicate energy theft in the system and that’s why we are collaborating with the security agencies.
“Any customer caught bypassing or tampering with our meter will not only be named and shamed but shall in addition face the full weight of law and thereafter made to pay loss of revenue arising from the unwholesome act.”
The statement said Ajagbawa had in a previous media briefing stated that PHED was losing over N2.5 billion on monthly basis due to energy theft.
He said, “One of the ways that we can survive and improve on our services is when customers pay their bill and stop meter bypass.
“We are coming after those who are involved in meter bypass and we will get back what belongs to us. Those sabotaging the system must be brought to book.”
Ajagbawa stressed the need for a legislation to criminalise energy theft and vandalism of electricity facilities.
“If you criminalize it and make the consequences severe definitely, we will have it better. Nigerians should learn to pay for energy consumed,” he added.
