Energy theft: Ikeja Electric threatens immediate legal action – Newstrends
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Energy theft: Ikeja Electric threatens immediate legal action

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4 months ago

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Energy theft: Ikeja Electric threatens immediate legal action

Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), at the weekend warned that offenders caught in the act of energy theft will be immediately charged to court. The company emphasised that the era of merely imposing loss of revenue (LOR) penalty alone on offenders is over, as it will now enforce the full weight of the law against offenders.

The company made this announcement at its July Stakeholders Forum, a monthly enlightenment meeting aimed at educating its customers about the company’s activities and laudable initiatives to foster improved service delivery.

IE’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kingsley Okotie, lamented the increase in energy theft, especially over the last three months following implementation of the reviewed tariff on Band A feeders. He noted that the company and the entire electricity value chain cannot survive if theft goes unchecked.

“The theft is massive and the company cannot guarantee meeting customer expectations if this ugly trend continues. Ironically, some perpetrators believe that if they haven’t been caught, there are no consequences. This is false and we must change the narrative,” he said.

Okotie stated that for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) to survive, all stakeholders must fight in unison against theft, as pilfering of electricity hinders the stability of the sector. He emphasised that whatever happens to the Distribution Companies (Discos) affects the entire NESI.

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Speaking on strategies to curb theft, the company’s spokesman hinted that the whistleblowing platform is a very effective way for customers and well-meaning Nigerians to report incidents anonymously. He added that the platform is managed independently of the business, ensuring customers identity remain anonymous and highly confidential.

To reinforce the company’s commitment, IE, he disclosed, is incentivising whistleblowing by rewarding those who report any illegality and theft of electricity. Persons who submit verified reports on Non-Maximum Demand (Residential & SMEs) offenders will get up to 10 per cent of the reconnection fee paid by the offender while for Maximum Demand (Commercial & Industrial) offenders, whistle-blowers will get up to five per cent of the reconnection fees paid by the offender.

He further explained that energy theft is a criminal offence under the Electricity Act, attracting a sentence between six months to three years imprisonment. Interfering with meters or the works of licensees carries a sentence of three years imprisonment.

“Ikeja Electric can, under the law, prosecute people and companies for the criminal offence of energy theft. In line with regulations stipulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the NERC Order on unauthorized access, meter tampering, and bypass allows Discos to disconnect customers illegally connected to their network. Reconnection is only possible after offenders have paid for the loss of revenue by paying back-bills established by the Disco, along with reconnection costs and administrative charges,” Okotie warned.

In a related development, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has taken steps aimed at recouping over N100 billion it has lost to energy theft and vandalism within its network. The utility also confirmed that it has dismissed about 20 staff members found to be involved in illegal activities and collaborating with customers to tamper with electrical equipment, while also threatening to prosecute residents caught engaging in energy theft and illegal connections.

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The EKEDC Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, made this known at its Customer Engagement Forum with customers from the Orile Business District, including Sanya, Orile, Ikate, Doyin, Coker, Aguda, Thomas Animashaun, parts of Eric Moore, TEXLON, Passat, parts of Alaka, Itire and Kernel.

Momoh, who was represented at the engagement by the EKEDC’s Chief Customer Experience Officer, Mrs Catherine Ezeafulukwe, regretted that energy theft and vandalism have been persistent issues plaguing the service delivery to all its network especially under the Orile District, causing significant financial losses and posing safety risks.

“The loses we incur as a result of energy theft and vandalism runs into several billions of Naira. This is why we are taking the campaign against energy theft and vandalism seriously because it is negatively affecting our bottom line and also our customers.

“Energy theft often prevents us from providing efficient service because it affects our facilities and infrastructure, impacting how consumers get electricity. Of course, we pay for energy whether it is distributed to customers or stolen, leading to billions of Naira in losses.

“Our debt profile is about N100 billion and our collection efficiency hovers around 87 to 89 percent despite buying energy at 100 percent from the Bulk Electricity Traders. We usually have around 15 to 18 percent outstanding debt that we struggle to offset in the energy market,” she revealed.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for any staff reported and confirmed to have been involved in this act.

“We will sack them because we do not want such attitudes within our organization. If you know any of our staff indulging in energy theft or collaborating with customers to do so, EKEDC will not hesitate to dismiss them.

“In the last six months, we have dismissed over 20 staff, with many still being probed for their involvement in illegal practices,” Momoh said.

Energy theft: Ikeja Electric threatens immediate legal action

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Tron Founder joins Trump-backed crypto project, invests $30m

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11 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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Justin Sun

Tron Founder joins Trump-backed crypto project, invests $30m

Justin Sun, the founder of the Tron Blockchain has joined the World Liberty Financial project as an advisor after investing $30 million into the project.

The World Liberty Financial project is backed by the Donald Trump family and aims to become a leading crypto project in the global crypto space.

Justin Sun joined the project as an advisor after purchasing $30 million worth of WLFI tokens making him the largest shareholder in the project.

The development was announced via the official X page of the World Liberty Financial project welcoming the Crypto founder to the project.

“Exciting Announcement! 

We’re honored to welcome @justinsuntron as an advisor to World Liberty Financial (WLFI)! Justin is the founder of @TRONDAO an advisor to @HTX_Global, and a supporter of @BitTorrent 

. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he recently won Sotheby’s auction for the iconic banana artwork.  

#TRON is among the world’s top 10 cryptocurrencies and one of the largest public blockchains. Justin’s insights and experience will be instrumental as we continue to innovate and grow. Welcome to the team, Justin!” WLFI tweeted

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Justin Sun’s $30 million investment in the project boosted the sales traffic of its native token raising it from $21 million to $53 million.

The increased inflow of capital into the project better positions the project to achieve its goals which include a stablecoin-focused credit card and infrastructure enhancement.

Justin Sun brings onboard his wealth of experience as the founder of one of the Top 10 blockchains in the industry by market cap and his advisory role at HTX and BitTorrent.

Sun’s previous track record of bold investments and innovation is expected to be a huge boost to the WLFI project.

The WLFI gig is another feather to the hat of Justin Sun as he expands his activities in the crypto space. The Tron founder recently purchased a 6.3 million NFT art in a bid to revive a stagnant sector.

The World Liberty Financial project is backed by Donald Trump’s family and it looks to promote the mass adoption of Defi and stablecoins. This project aligns with the Donald Trump pro-crypto mantra and has all the credibility a project of that status needs.

Tron Founder joins Trump-backed crypto project, invests $30m

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Toyota By CFAO showcases latest Land Cruiser Prado, others at P’Harcourt Open Day 

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12 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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Toyota By CFAO showcases latest Land Cruiser Prado, others at P’Harcourt Open Day 

Toyota By CFAO, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Nigeria, has commenced a three-day special display of the latest new Toyota models from the company at an Open Day organised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for residents of the city and its surrounding areas.

The Toyota By CFAO Open Day holds from Tuesday, November 26 to  Thursday, November 28, 2024, according to a statement by the company.

The event running from 9am to 5pm each day is taking place at the auto company’s showroom located at 184B, Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt.

It discloses that the exciting event will feature the highly anticipated 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, one of Toyota’s flagship models, alongside a range of other exceptional vehicles tailored for the Nigerian market.

This, it notes, is an exclusive opportunity for attendees to explore the latest in automotive excellence, discover new vehicle options, and benefit from Toyota By CFAO’s End of Year Bonanza.

General Manager of CFAO Mobility Port Harcourt, Julius Fasetire, encourages all residents to “come witness history in motion as we proudly unveil the All-New 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

“Be among the first to explore this remarkable masterpiece and discover our full range of Toyota vehicles. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience automotive excellence and enjoy a free diagnostic check for your Toyota vehicle!”

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has already generated excitement across the country, following its recent unveilings in Lagos and Abuja.

The product is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after sports utility vehicles in Nigeria, appealing to both corporate and individual buyers.

With over 11.3 million units sold globally in more than 170 countries, the Land Cruiser Prado is renowned for its rugged off-road capabilities and comfort for everyday driving.

The firm says this year’s model comes in two distinctive editions – the Limited Edition (First Edition) and the Adventure Edition – both equipped with a 2.4L turbocharged gasoline engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, ensuring superior performance both on and off the road.

Toyota By CFAO also says it ensures that genuine parts and a comprehensive 3-year/100,000 kilometre warranty are available for all customers.

In addition to the Land Cruiser Prado, the event will showcase a variety of other popular Toyota models including the Belta, Rumion, RAV4, Camry, and Hiace.

The Open Day, it stresses, promises to be a must-attend event for anyone interested in exploring the world of Toyota vehicles, from luxury to practicality, and experiencing firsthand the future of automotive technology.

The company says more details about the rich offering of Toyota in the Nigeria market can be obtained from https://www.toyotabycfao.ng/.

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Nigeria’s foreign reserves in marginal increase, now $40.88bn 

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15 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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Nigeria’s foreign reserves in marginal increase, now $40.88bn

 

Nigeria’s foreign reserves rose to $40.88 billion as of November 21, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has said.

Cardoso disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference after the Monetary Policy Committee’s 298th meeting in Abuja.

He said the external reserves grew from $40.06 billion at the end of October to $40.88 billion in November.

The amount represents an increase of $82 million or 2.05 per cent in 21 days.

“The external reserves rose marginally to 40.88 billion as of 21 November 2024, from 40.06 billion at the end of October 2024, available to finance 17 months of imports,” he said.

However, from the apex bank’s website, the increase in Nigeria’s foreign reserves showed $40.27 billion on November 22.

Cardoso also said, “The process of getting us where we are in terms of reserves has been a long one”.

“It is a clear indication that the policies we have put in place are certainly yielding fruits,” he added.

“However, and it’s very important to make a distinction here and to reiterate the fact that reserves are there for a multiplicity of different purposes, not least of which is to create buffers in the event of unanticipated shocks.

“So they are not there to simply whittle away. They are there to be used to more or less defend yourself where that becomes necessary

“And when we talk about shocks that are not anticipated, I think we can see how the global economies are.”

Cardoso also said the bank would continue to intensify efforts to stabilise the currency and prices.

The CBN governor said, “The currency has been stable compared to what it was in June”.

But he said for the value of the country’s currency to be stable, there must be increased exports and diversification of the economy.

Cardoso said diaspora remittance had increased due to policies put in place.

He commended those in the diaspora for helping the country accomplish over $600 million in remittances.

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