News
P/Harcourt DisCo revenue hits N5.2bn in August – MD
The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has recorded N5.2 billion in revenue collection in August from N4.3 billion in the preceding months.
The Managing Director of PHED, Dr Benson Uwheru, told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that the company grew its revenue by N900 million in bill collection.
He said the N5.2 billion revenue was the highest revenue collected by the company since it started operation in 2012.
He said: “Upon resumption in July, PHED bill collection was N4.3 billion, and by Aug. 31, we hit a new milestone in the history of our collection to N5.2 billion.
“We achieved this within a short period by remodelling our core values and adopting the TRICE model of Teamwork, Reliability, Integrity, Customer service and Excellence,” he said.
Uwheru said in spite of the growth that the company still fell short of N7.4 billion billed energy revenue target for the month of August.
“This shortfall is due to energy theft, meter bypass by some customers and the refusal of some customers to vend (pay) for electricity used.
“In the last six months, about 70,000 customers did not vend, meaning that these people have used power without paying a Kobo.
“So, the N5.2 billion collection is under-short the billed energy for the month of August which stood at about N7.4 billion,” he added.
On metering, Uwheru said about 60 per cent of customers in its franchise states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers have been metered.
He said the figure meant that 40 per cent of customers in the four states were charged on estimated billing.
According to him, the company was awaiting the second phase of the Federal Government National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), to close the metering gap in the four states.
“Aside this, we are in talks with various financial institutions and asset financing programmes, to procure meters and distribute to customers to pay within one year to five years period.
“This is another option we want to aggressively pursue, so we don’t rely solely on NMMP to provide meters to our customers,” he said.
The managing director said the company was faced with several challenges in the areas of meter bypass and vandalism, as well as the insistence by some people that electricity should be free.
He said one of the communities in its franchise refused to pay for electricity used, thereby, incurring the company billions in lost revenue.
“One community alone has over time incurred debt of N21 billion. Every month N400 million is debited to our account in PHED to use power by the community.
“We have tried to collect our revenue but have been unable to penetrate the community due to intimidation.
“But, we are collaborating with the state government, security agencies and the community leaders to enable us to access the community.
“We are doing this because companies are being set up there, and they are using energy for free,” he added.
News
Installation of e-gates at airports is to enhance national security – Minister
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo says the installation of e-gates at the five international airports in the country will enhance national security.
He also said it would ensure seamless processing of passengers coming into and going out of the country.
The minister made the remarks on Friday when he inspected the newly installed e-gates at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo said that from the preliminary test conducted, it will take less than 30 seconds to process passengers with valid passports, thus reducing the delays and inconveniences hitherto faced by passengers.
He said about 21 e-gates would be installed at Lagos airport by the end of April, while those in Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu would be ready by the third week of May.
“Having tested it on various scenarios, we saw that a Nigerian carrying a valid passport will only take less than 30 seconds to be checked in, which I think is a record time.
“We have also tested it with people carrying other people’s passport, and we saw that it is practically impossible for people to use another person’s passport to gain entrance into the country unlike in the past.
“With what we have also seen, it is practically impossible to enter into the country with an expired passport,“ he added.
According to him, the scanners will enhance the nation’s security architecture and enable immigration officials to work seamlessly.
The minister thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support towards making the project a reality.
News
Plateau varsity suspends exams over killing of student
News
Customs seizes N126.2m smuggled goods in Kebbi
-
Finance3 months ago
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
-
Abuja Update2 months ago
UNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
-
Abuja Update4 weeks ago
Banks drive stock market performance with N147bn gain
-
Infotech3 weeks ago
World Backup Day: NITDA urges Nigerians to ensure backup of data
-
capital market2 years ago
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
-
Health2 weeks ago
Immunisation: FG, GAVI seek synergy with Sokoto Govt.
-
Infotech1 week ago
Forex for Beginners: Unveiling the currency exchange and how to trade it
-
Submission Guidelines3 months ago
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: POETRY COLUMN-NND