Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company PHED, has affirmed its commitment to zero tolerance for corruption, saying that as a responsible organization, the company was also open to constructive criticism.
PHED says the company under the leadership of Dr. Henry Ajagbawa, has reinvigorated the fight against corruption in multi dimensions, from sanctioning to naming and shaming of offenders arising from energy theft, meter bypass, unauthorized access to its network, etc.
The company reacting to a statement credited to the Managing Director, Ibom Power, Engr. Meyen Etukudoh, alleging that “PHED is corrupt and offers poor services,” described the claim as malicious and unfounded.
PHED Manager, Corporate Communications, John Onyi, wondered why a key player who has been an intermediary between Akwa Ibom State Government and PHED towards the improvements of at electricity supply to the state, would come up with such claims.
According to him, “Without ambiguity, PHED is a responsible organization that has zero tolerance for corruption.
“The Management of PHED under the leadership of Dr. Henry Ajagbawa has reinvigorated the fight against corruption in different dimensions from sanctioning to naming and shaming of offenders arising from energy theft, meter bypass, unauthorized access to the network, among many others.
“To this end, a hotline -08114646572, managed in the office of our Managing Director was put in place to report corruption related issues on both staff and customers involve in any infractions against the business.”
The Port Harcourt Disco also disclosed that the Managing Director, Dr. Henry Ajagbawa, on assumption of office, has implemented many projects aimed at service improvement.
“Some of the projects include rehabilitation of Itam 2×7.5 MVA 33/11kv injection substation, condition monitoring of 12Nos within Akwa Ibom, installation of complete protection scheme and rehabilitation of 11kv panel at Itam Injection substation.
“Filtration was also carried out on 1×15 MVA 33/11kv located at Ikot Ekpene to improve availability on out-going 11kv feeders. Several maintenance jobs on the network are not left out in our determination in service delivery to customers.
“PHED embarked on massive investment in electricity infrastructures with reference to the construction and stringing of a new feeder and configuration to evacuate 48MW from Rumuosi transmission station in Port Harcourt, to augment the daily allocation from the national grid, among other areas.”
The Disco further disclosed that on its recent employment of 355 staff, Uyo zone had 22percent of the entire workforce, out of the four states in its franchise area.
“Contrary to the publication, PHED did not bring in old PHCN staff to its fold but rather some of them that have demonstrated competence after the successful privatization of electricity industry on November 1, 2013 were absolved into the system.
“On revenue drive, PHED beyond operating in its capacity as a business entity is mandated by Regulators to remit funds of certain percentage of energy used by the customers. It is therefore, imperative that our collection drive must be at its best for the survival of the company.
“Finally, while we welcome constructive criticisms targeted at service improvement, it is very unfortunate that such a discordant voice is coming from a supposedly partner in the electricity industry.”
