By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
By Amaechi Okwara
Asaba
Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has said that machinery had been put in place to tackle over-billing and other electricity challenges.
Managing Director of BEDC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, who was represented by Mrs. Virginia Oseneme, stated this in Asaba, the Delta state capital, while holding stakeholders/town hall meeting with customers.
Mrs. Oseneme said the customers forum department was constituted by BEDC to know the various electricity challenges customers were facing in order to address them to the satisfaction of the their esteemed electricity consumers.
Issues raised at forum to be tackled included resolution procedure for over-billing, current supply situation, new tariff increase, new procedure for obtaining meter, approved payment channel and safety awareness.
She said: “We created this customers forum to hear your complaints and address them accordingly. We will soon get to your desired destination, we are here to discuss as a family so as to let you know the procedure to follow when you are facing a particular challenge.
“BEDC management appreciates our customers for their patience and understanding, while urging them for more cordial relationship in order to serve them better.”
But electricity consumers at the forum lamented that BEDC should find lasting solution particularly to outrageous billing, tariff increase and power supply.
Asaba District Business Manager, Engr. Timothy Adeleye, said that power supply has now improved while urging the customers to guide against illegal connections and payment of electricity bills.
“You will agree with me that power supply has improved and we will continue to do everything within our powers to always make our customers happy.”
Adeleye attributed the power outage in some quarters to vandalism of electricity installations, overloading of transformers and illegal connections among others.
He, however, urged members of the public to apply for the prepaid meter, saying that the intending buyer should apply through the BEDC at the cost of N39, 375 for single-phase and N68, 901 for three-phase.