Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko DisCo), on Thursday, held an extensive customer engagement forum in Agbara District, Lagos State, bringing together community stakeholders to address power supply challenges, safety concerns, and the critical issue of energy theft.
The forum, which covered five zones under Agbara District – Agbara, Aiyetoro, Aradagun, Badagry, Igborosun, and Oko-Afo, provided a platform for direct dialogue between Eko DisCo management and community representatives.
Iyiola Ezichi, Head of Customer Experience representing Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, Acting CEO of Eko DisCo, emphasised the company’s customer-focused approach. “Our customers are the reason we are in business. We need to listen and get their feedback so we can serve them better,” said Ezichi, noting that the forum aligns with Eko Disco’s policy, particularly during Customer Service Week.
Speaking at the event, Engr. Omokaro Emmanuel, chairman of Electricity Committee, Agbara Estate Association, praised Eko DisCo’s proactive engagement strategy. “It is one of the best things happening when you are dealing with your customers on energy consumption. Regularly meeting to hear what people have to say enables further improvement in operations and consumption levels,” he stated.
Community representatives, including Festus Eweka, chairman of Customer Consultative Forum, commended Eko DisCo officials for their prompt response to complaints and effectiveness in resolving issues. “We have never had it so good for a very long time, and all issues raised were properly attended to by the officials,” Eweka noted.
Eko DisCo used the forum to emphasise critical safety measures for communities, including using appropriate cables for electrical installations, engaging qualified electrical personnel for all electrical work, educating children and community members about electrical hazards, and avoiding construction of structures under power lines.
A major focus of the forum was addressing energy theft, which Eko DisCo officials described as a criminal offense affecting all customers. Ezichi explained the company’s position: “Energy theft is a very concerning issue in the power sector. Customers caught stealing energy face legal action and must pay loss of revenue bills.” She urged community members to report incidents of energy theft, emphasising that “if energy is being stolen and you do not report it, you are paying for that customer.”
Engr. Emmanuel echoed this call to action, stating that “energy that is stolen cannot be recovered. We must identify and report those engaged in this practice. If payment is made properly, there will be improvement and much more development in terms of investment into our energy system.”
Eweka shared his community’s success story in combating energy theft, noting that “in our community, we have worked against this. We have brought perpetrators to Eko DisCo’s attention, they were disciplined and made to pay fines. Today, energy theft in our community is virtually non-existent.”
Engr. Madukife Obianuju, Project Supervisor EHV Projects at Eko Disco, announced significant infrastructure improvements planned for the Agbara area. A 2×100 MVA transformer project will see its first 100 MVA phase commissioned within one month, while a new 11kV feeder from Ojo will reduce load constraints on existing feeders. Plans were also underway for an injection station near Federal Government College area to localize faults and improve service delivery. “With these projects, more capacity will be drawn from Agbara. Companies and residents will get more supply,” Obianuju explained. “The injection station will enable us to break feeders into smaller portions, meaning we won’t have to disconnect every customer because of a small fault.”
In order to protect lives and preserve the future, Eko DisCo urged all stakeholders to join hands in tackling energy crimes and infrastructure vandalism. The company pledged to continue its proactive engagement with communities to ensure improved service delivery and a safer electrical environment for all.
