Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
Association of Revenue Protection Practitioners of Nigerian Electricity Distribution Companies thursday, tasked electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) to engage state Judiciary and Houses of Assembly to set up mobile court legislation against energy theft.
The challenge was contained in a communique issued at the end of the association’s fifth session in Benin City, Edo State.
The communique which was endorsed by Electricity Practitioners’ President, Mr Abimbola Odubiyi, frowned at revenue loss through urban terrorism (resistive/communities across the country like area boys), metering and low voltage issues as well as energy theft and adopted other measures to curb revenue loss during the session.
Describing energy theft as major contributor to revenue losses, Odubiyi said illegal consumption of electricity, meter bypass and illegal reconnection are impeding the progress of electricity business in Nigeria.
He said to arrest the menace, the DISCOs should also fashion out modality to work with law enforcement agencies like the police, NSCDC and DSS.
The distribution companies were also advised on the option of litigation while also ensuring that proper legal processes are adhered to ensure conviction.
The practitioners also solicited for media partnership in the area of public enlightenment and awareness programmes aimed at educating the people to desist from energy theft.
“The economic regeneration of the country economy lies on the successes of the electricity distribution companies to drive the growth of the Nigeria economy.
“Against this background all hands must be on deck to improve revenue collection in order to meet the set objectives of the electricity providers in Nigeria,†the communique reads.
Meanwhile, Odubiyi has said the DISCOs have provided more meters in four years than the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) did in ten years.
Describing as colossal loss of revenue through low voltage, he said the revenue protection practitioners resolved that DISCOs should raise issues of the meters inability to read low voltage with the manufacturers.