…to immediately charge offenders in Court, ends loss of revenue penalties

… offenders face 6 months to 3 years imprisonment

Oredola Adeola

Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has lamented the increase in energy theft, especially over the last three months following the implementation of the reviewed tariff on Band A feeders.

It has therefore warned that offenders caught in the act of energy theft will be immediately charged in court, insisting that the era of merely imposing loss of revenue (LOR) penalties on offenders is over.

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.

Mr. Kingsley Okotie, Ikeja Electric’s Head of Corporate Communication, 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 the pilfering of electricity hinders the stability of the sector.

He emphasized that whatever happens to the Distribution Companies (Discos) affects the entire NESI.

Speaking on strategies to curb theft, the company’s spokesman mentioned 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’ identities remain anonymous and highly confidential.

Ikeja Electric’s Head of Corporate Communication further explained that “To reinforce the company’s commitment, IE is incentivizing 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% of the reconnection fee paid by the offender while for Maximum Demand (Commercial & Industrial) offenders, whistle-blowers will get up to 5% of the reconnection fees paid by the offender,” he said.

He further noted that energy theft is a criminal offense under the Electricity Act, attracting a sentence between 6 months to 3 years imprisonment.

According to him, interfering with meters or the works of licensees carries a sentence of 3 years imprisonment.

Okotie said, “Ikeja Electric can, under the law, prosecute people and companies for the criminal offense 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,” he said.

The IE spokesperson urged customers to take advantage of 0800 847 6337 and the company’s whistleblowing platforms to report energy theft.