Ikeja Electric Plc has reiterated its commitment to optimising a collaborative approach to stakeholder management.
The Head, Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric, Mr Kingsley Okotie made the commitment during the first virtual stakeholders/customers engagement session for the year 2024 on Thursday in Lagos.
Okotie said this became necessary to ensure the sustainability of its business operations in 2024 and beyond.
He said that the company appreciated its customers, their support and constructive criticisms that had contributed to the resolution of complaints and challenges.
The company’s spokesperson, therefore, thanked the customers for their support in 2023 and assured of visible improvements in service delivery in the year.
He reiterated IE’s commitment to safety in its network and advised customers not to get involved in illegalities, especially on activities under power lines, or engaging non-certified technicians, whose ineptitude could lead to service disruptions, fire outbreaks and eventual loss of lives and property.
He added that Ikeja Electric would not rest on its oars in providing quality service and remarkable experience to its esteemed customers, while appealing for the support of all stakeholders towards achieving the corporate goals and objectives of the company in 2024.
The spokesman advised customers not to partake in any form of bribery, nor condone extortion or paying money to staff to influence or fast track service requests.
He said customers should formally lodge their complaints through the appropriate channels and obtain a Service Request Number (SRN), to enable tracking of such complaints until it is finally resolved.
He revealed that some customers were still engaging in energy theft through meter by-pass, illegal connections and reconnections, saying that anyone caught involved in such criminal acts will be prosecuted.
Speaking on the company’s metering project and the steps involved in obtaining new meters, he advised customers who are yet to apply for meters to do so via www.smartkyc.ikejaelectric.com.
He urged customers to provide the necessary requirements such as NIN, valid phone number, email address and other information as may be requested.
He also advised STS Meter customers that are having challenges to ensure that their meters are duly upgraded to the new standard as those who are yet to do so will not be able to load the token purchased.
“In order to ensure stability of electricity supply through the 33kv/11kv feeders, the company has been regularly relieving overloaded distribution transformers and fencing the unprotected ones in 2023.
“This proactive and preventive maintenance of our infrastructure will continue with more aggression as it has allowed us to reduce our turn-around times.
“We encourage you to contact our toll-free number 081-8000-0741 for prompt security response as we believe that working together is the most effective way to address the issue of vandalism in the communities,” Okotie said.
He encouraged all customers to take advantage of IE’s whistleblowing platform to ensure a transparent and accountable system, by reporting all cases of extortion, hostility, and unprofessional conduct through its toll-free lines.
He assured that all information will be treated with utmost confidentiality and anonymity.
The spokesman appealed to customers to make use of the appropriate channels to report activities that border on staff excesses rather than resorting to battery and assault.