Ikeja Electricity Company rewards debt-free consumers with free pre-paid metres

Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, yesterday announced free pre-paid metres for consumers who had settled their outstanding bills.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the company, Mr Chris Akamnonu, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Ikeja that the offer was part of strategies to encourage electricity consumers to settle their bills.

NAN reports that a single phase metre costs N25, 000, while a three-phase metre costs N50, 000, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

'We have been given out free pre-paid metres to our customers who had paid their outstanding bills to date. We have told our customers that they will get free metres if they settle all their outstanding bills and this is ongoing,' he said.

Akamnonu expressed hope that the strategy would encourage other debtor-customers to follow suit.

He disclosed that more than 134,000 pre-paid metres had been installed in houses in the zone.

Akamnonu added: 'We are willing to install a metre for any willing customer who has paid up to date; such a customer should come up with his receipt.

'We will not allow debtors to benefit from the services of PHCN if they continue to ignore the appeals to settle their debts.'

He said prompt payment of electricity bills would enable the company to meet the target of providing stable and efficient power in the zone.

Akamnonu promised that prompt attention would be given to customers' complaints by officials of the company.

He, however, warned members of the public against patronising touts in their desperate bids to get pre-paid metres.