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EEDC assures customers of fairness, transparency in electricity band classification

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Dr Ernest Mupwaya, Deputy Managing Director, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has assured its customers of fairness and transparency in electricity bands classification.

Mupwaya gave the assurance on Friday in Enugu at the ongoing three-day Customer Complaints Resolution Meeting organised by NERC for electricity consumers, customers and stakeholders in the South-East.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recently classified electricity consumers into various bands.

The classification starts from Band-A (a minimum of 20 hours supply per day) to Band-E (a minimum of four hours supply per day).

The EEDC boss said that the company was strictly following laid-down NERC regulation on the bands classification.

“The EEDC has never intended to collect any unjustified money from its esteemed and valued customers within the South-East, its franchise area,” he said.

According to Mupwaya, all customers within the 44 feeders classified as Band-A feeders in EEDC network, meant to have at least 20 hours electricity supply per day, will be treated fairly and transparently.

He said that this was to ensure that they got value for money and they are not overcharged.

The deputy managing director revealed that plans are underway to provide prepaid meters to about 12,381 unmetered Band-A feeder customers in its network within the next three months unfailingly on no-cost basis.

“It will be free-of-charge or they will initially pay for it and later be refunded through pay-back electricity unit credit given to them over some months,” he said.

Mupwaya said that the company had constituted technical Quick Response Teams to attend to local technical issues of all Band-A feeders and customers.

He said that within minutes of calls, both on weekends and during holiday seasons, electrical faults of Band-A customers are resolved without waste of time.

“For those Band-A feeders receiving less than 20 hours per day for two consecutive days; we will send a text message to the customers directly,  explaining the challenges to them.

“For customers on Band-A not receiving 20 hours constant electricity supply for seven days; the feeder and customers concerned will be demoted from Band-A to a lower band.

“We are daily monitoring the situation and on our own as a responsible company, we will ensure no customer is shortchanged or overcharged,” he said.

The deputy managing director also assured all customers in EEDC network that very soon the quality of supply would improve tremendously as the authorities and other electricity industry players are working to ensure improved and more steady supply.

He made it clear that EEDC totally gave out all supply received to its network through the national grid.

He emphasised that the recent shortfall in supply was never the fault of the company and not as a result of local technical challenge within its franchise area.

“Before the recent fall in supply and recent band classification by NERC, you customers can agree with me that some customers do enjoy over 20 hours steady supply and beyond.

“By the grace of God we will return to that era once more soon,” he said.

Speaking, the Commissioner, Consumer Affairs, NERC, Mrs Aisha Mahmod, said that the commission organised the meeting to educate and sensitise electricity consumers on their rights, privileges and obligations.

“NERC, as a regulator, will ensure no electricity consumer or customer is shortchanged.

“Rather, it has provided mechanisms for disagreement and conflict resolution in the electricity industry by ensuring parties abide by laid-down laws and regulations,” Mahmoud said.

She said that the new band classification and tariff was meant to reflect the economic realities of the day.

“NERC is here for three days to listen and proffer practical solutions to your electricity challenges and complaints, which will be practically resolved here,” she said.

The meeting is being attended by hundreds of electricity consumers within the South-East, which include Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.

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How Palmpay overcame trust deficit in 12 months- MD Nwosu

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Nigerians’ trust in Palmpay, a Central Bank of Nigeria’s fintech licensed bank, has grown tremendously in the last 12 months.

The Managing Director of Palmpay Nigeria, Chika Nwosu, disclosed this recently when he appeared on  Channels TV Business Roundtable.

Recall that the CBN recently restricted Palmpay and four fintech banks from onboarding new customers.

However, Nwosu gave insights into regulatory concerns surrounding the FinTech ecosystem and said that Palmpay has come to stay within Nigeria’s banking sector.

“Whatever happens with regulation is for the good of the FinTech space in Nigeria. Initially, when we started, there was an issue of trust. However, I can tell you now that the last 1 year after the cashless policy has seen the trust start to grow”.

The Managing Director emphasized PalmPay’s unwavering support for regulators in regulating the FinTech ecosystem, underscoring that regulators want to improve the services of strong players in the FinTech space, such as PalmPay.

On the ease of doing business and how it affects PalmPay, he said:

“Doing business in Nigeria for us is difficult, but Nigerians are embracing our App and digital payment”.

When asked about the problem of failed transfers, he stressed,

“Every institution has its business strategy and infrastructure. For us and most fintechs, we have a structure that makes transactions seamless”.

Regarding the regulator’s recent onboarding policy, he stated that PalmPay agreed with the regulators on some grey areas that must be addressed.

Reassuring customers that there was no issue with using PalmPay, he emphasized, “If PalmPay completes their own today, we will start onboarding today”.

On the issue of trust and the security of the PalmPay app, he said,

“There is no day you won’t see on our app boldly written that we are licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and our deposits are insured by the Nigeria Deposits Insurance Corporation (NDIC). PalmPay is here to stay”.

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Mushin LG Chairman flags off construction of Yusuf Street road, promises solar lighting

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The Mushin Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye on Wednesday flagged off the construction of Yusuf Street road in Papa Ajao.

The project is expected to bring relief to residents and traders in the area and is set to be completed within six months.

According to Bamigboye, the project is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people of Mushin, and he expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to execute the project.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and the local government to ensure the successful completion of the project.

The councillor representing the ward, Ayomide Abioye, expressed his joy and appreciation for the project, stating that it is the longest street in Papa Ajao and will bring immense benefit to the community.

Also, the Baba Oloja of Ladipo International Market, Eze Monday, also commended the Executive Chairman for the project, stating that it will make a significant impact on the development of the area.

The project includes the construction of the road and the installation of solar lighting, which is expected to enhance security and facilitate economic activities in the area.

Residents and traders in the area have been warned not to disturb the contractor or disrupt the project in any way.

Meanwhile, the traders applauded Hon. Bamigboye for demonstrating its commitment to infrastructural development and the welfare of its citizens.

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Giving back to community — Prof Oyedokun speaks on motives

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Lead Facilitator Professor of Accounting & Financial Development Founder OGE, Prof. Godwin Emmanuel Oyedokun, has disclosed that giving back to society community is his motive for pursuing his career.

He made the disclosure in an article titled “My motive for running a free professional diploma course in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation is of several folds.”

He said, “Running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is also motivated by my desire to give back to the community.

“By sharing my expertise and knowledge without any financial barriers, I am helping individuals from diverse backgrounds and financial situations to acquire valuable skills and advance their careers.”

The academic reiterated that the motive for running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is centred around education, skill development, community service, and professional growth.

It is a way to contribute to the accounting profession, address a skill gap, and empower individuals in their pursuit of knowledge and career advancement.

According to him, “Promoting Education and Professional Development to contribute to the growth and development of the accounting profession by providing individuals with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in the specialised field of forensic accounting and fraud investigation.

“By offering this free course, i am enabling aspiring professionals to access valuable education that might otherwise be costly or inaccessible.”

The Don addressing the need for expertise in Forensic Accounting said, “In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for professionals skilled in forensic accounting and fraud investigation due to the rise in financial crimes and fraudulent activities. By offering this free course, I am helping to address this skill gap and aiding in the fight against financial fraud.”

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