From Premium Times Nigeria · Agency Report · · 1m 40s
Electricity firm explains higher bills
PHED says some customers face higher bills after feeder upgrades to 24-hour power.
In brief
PHED says some customers face higher bills after feeder upgrades to 24-hour power. PHED attributes rising electricity bills to feeder migrations to 24-hour supply bands for customers. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
PHED explains higher bills
PHED attributes rising electricity bills to feeder migrations to 24-hour supply bands for customers.
“Some customers are experiencing increased tariffs because their electricity feeders have been migrated to a band that supplies electricity 24 hours”
Customer service head says
Adamma Ogwuegbu, head of customer service at PHED, disclosed the tariff changes to the News Agency of Nigeria.
“Some customers are experiencing increased tariffs because their electricity feeders have been migrated to a band that supplies electricity 24 hours”
Customers affected
Customers whose feeders were upgraded to provide 24-hour electricity are expected to pay higher tariffs.
“Some customers are experiencing increased tariffs because their electricity feeders have been migrated to a band that supplies electricity 24 hours”
PHED's explanation
PHED says customers should understand the relationship between electricity supply levels and applicable tariffs.
“The challenge was partly due to customers’ limited understanding of the relationship between electricity supply levels and applicable tariffs”
Business sustainability
PHED states it must recover revenue to sustain electricity distribution operations.
“For us to remain in business, when we sell, we should be able to recover the revenue. Failure to recover revenue could threaten the sustainability of electricity distribution operations”
Customer education
PHED is engaging customers to explain tariff differences across electricity supply bands.
“The company was engaging customers to explain the differences in tariffs across the various electricity supply bands”
Customer complaints
Emeka Ojoko, NEPA Wahala Executive Coordinator, noted PHED's slow response to complaints.
“For a Band A customer, you should not have prolonged outages, but whenever I have them, the response time is not as good as it ought to be”
Business impact
Festus Ola, steel producer, reported no power failures in his factory for three to four months.
“In the past three to four months, we have never had power failure in our factory”
Awards ceremony
PHED Board presented awards to customers who sustained the company's operations.
“The customer appreciation event was organised to recognise customers whose patronage and support had sustained the company’s operations”
Award winners
Bayo Yao Iron and Steel Company won the Best Customer Award, followed by Heliconia Park Hotel and CWay Company.
“Bayo Yao Iron and Steel Company won the Best Customer Award, followed by Heliconia Park Hotel in second place and CWay Company in third place”
PHED's commitment
PHED reaffirmed its commitment to improving customer service and complaint response.
“The journey has not been perfect. However, we are committed to improving, listening better, responding better and treating our customers better”
Customer education
PHED will continue educating customers on tariffs, feeder upgrades and revenue collection.
“PHED would continue engaging and educating customers on tariffs, feeder upgrades and the need for improved revenue collection”
Customer service
PHED states customers should pay for reliable electricity when supply is adequate.
“Mrs Ogwuegbu said customers should be willing to pay for electricity when supply is adequate and reliable”
What happens next
PHED will continue improving customer service and addressing complaints.
“We are committed to improving, listening better, responding better and treating our customers better”
What it means
PHED attributes rising electricity bills to feeder migrations to 24-hour supply bands for customers.
