Port Harcourt: The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has announced plans to meter all of its 831,675 customers across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers by 2028.
The Managing Director, Mr Ete Pinnick, disclosed that a customer enlightenment and complaint resolution meeting would take place in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Pinnick stated that the company had achieved 60 per cent metering coverage, covering approximately 332,679 customers.
He expressed confidence that the firm would achieve the target of 100 per cent metering of the remaining 499,005 customers by 2028.
“We have invested heavily in meeting our Maximum Demand Customers, and by the end of 2025, we expect to achieve 100 per cent metering coverage,” he said.
He further stated that PHED currently has 85,000 prepaid meters being installed under various metering initiatives.
The PHED helmsman said that under the Meter Acquisition Fund, Phase II, the company received 16,000 prepaid meters, and that 10,000 meters were installed in Phase I.
Pinnick explained that the company decided to hold quarterly meetings with customers to improve engagement, transparency, and service delivery across the coverage states.
“This forum is to listen to our customers, obtain feedback, and learn how we can serve them better.
“It also allows us to inform them of ongoing initiatives and the cultural transformation we are driving across our power distribution value chain,” he stated.
Pinnick noted that despite significant progress in its supply chain, PHED had continued to face challenges arising from customers’ long-held belief that electricity should be provided without charge.
He also decried the widespread issue of meter bypassing, describing it as a significant setback that had resulted in huge revenue loss.
“One of our biggest challenges is the sense of entitlement among some customers who refuse to pay for electricity.
“Even though the government still subsidises electricity for Bands B, C, D, and E, this problem persists.
“For instance, the Afam community in Oyibo Local Government Area consumes about N1.2 billion worth of electricity monthly but does not pay a kobo. This mindset must change if we are to make progress,” he said.
The managing director further highlighted the challenge of ageing transmission infrastructure, which remains a significant constraint to stable power delivery across the four states.
He said the transmission lines were obsolete, stating, “Although efforts are ongoing to replace the equipment, full completion will take time.”
In response, the Rivers Government pledged continued support for PHED to enhance access to electricity and customer satisfaction.
Mr Mershack Orji, the Head of Electricity Network at the Rivers State Ministry of Power, stated that the Gov. Siminalayi Fubara-led administration has made several interventions in the power sector.
He stated that the governor had deployed multiple power transformers to communities as part of efforts to improve the state’s electricity supply.
“Although this is not directly the responsibility of the state government, Fubara has nevertheless intervened. As a government, we cannot allow our people to suffer prolonged power deficiency.
“The Rivers State Government continues to liaise with PHED to resolve complaints, and as of today, some government institutions now enjoy more reliable power supply,” he said.
On power regulation, Orji explained that the state government was following due process in implementing power regulations within its jurisdiction.
“The takeover of power regulation in the state is ongoing. We are not rushing it. We plan that when completed, it will be properly implemented,” he said.
