PHCN: PREPAYMENT METERS UNDER ATTACK
Just a few months after the PHCN introduced Energy prepayment meters in some parts of Nigeria, some Nigerians have started tampering with the new meters. During a routine check by PHCN officials in my neighborhood, some PHCN customers were found to have tampered with the newly installed meters.
Some of the customers were found to have tampered with there meters in order to avoid the payment of electric bills. It is quite unfortunate that some Nigerians are yet to value integrity. What could be the justification now for bypassing (tampering) the new energy prepayment meters. Before now some Nigerians have justified meter tampering with the excuse that the bills are estimated without any regard for actual energy consumed by the customers. Therefore, meter tampering was their way of hitting back at the PHCN.
However, the new prepayment meter is a fair energy billing system. It only bills the energy consumer for the actual energy consumed. Therefore, what is the justification for meter tampering?
After this routine check by PHCN officials, more than seven buildings within my neighborhood were found culpable. The officials of the PHCN promptly disconnected these buildings. For up to two days, most of the buildings were in total blackout. That serves them right but in addition, they should be heavily fined in order to make them see their foolishness.
According to PHCN, meter tampering or by-pass attracts a penalty of N50, 000. This penalty must be strictly enforced. This is the only way to deter more people from tampering with their prepayment meters. PHCN officials must ensure that bribes do not exchange hands before reconnection of defaulting customers.
PHCN must also acknowledge the fact that she is suffering from her sins of the past. The PHCN has for several years offered free electricity training to millions of Nigerians. During the days of the old meters, PHCN officials almost every month went on massive disconnection of customers defaulting in payment of their energy bills. Such customers were connected back into the network after offering bribes. How will PHCN expect that such customer whom they have trained over all this years to cheat the system will suddenly change?
PHCN must start from purging herself of corrupt staffs. Then they must strictly enforce the penalty on meter tampering. Only then will they begin teaching a new lesson to some die-hard cheats.
PHCN must also have an effective mechanism for checking their defaulting customers. Since the new system is electronic, many options are open.
Some of the customers were found to have tampered with there meters in order to avoid the payment of electric bills. It is quite unfortunate that some Nigerians are yet to value integrity. What could be the justification now for bypassing (tampering) the new energy prepayment meters. Before now some Nigerians have justified meter tampering with the excuse that the bills are estimated without any regard for actual energy consumed by the customers. Therefore, meter tampering was their way of hitting back at the PHCN.
However, the new prepayment meter is a fair energy billing system. It only bills the energy consumer for the actual energy consumed. Therefore, what is the justification for meter tampering?
After this routine check by PHCN officials, more than seven buildings within my neighborhood were found culpable. The officials of the PHCN promptly disconnected these buildings. For up to two days, most of the buildings were in total blackout. That serves them right but in addition, they should be heavily fined in order to make them see their foolishness.
According to PHCN, meter tampering or by-pass attracts a penalty of N50, 000. This penalty must be strictly enforced. This is the only way to deter more people from tampering with their prepayment meters. PHCN officials must ensure that bribes do not exchange hands before reconnection of defaulting customers.
PHCN must also acknowledge the fact that she is suffering from her sins of the past. The PHCN has for several years offered free electricity training to millions of Nigerians. During the days of the old meters, PHCN officials almost every month went on massive disconnection of customers defaulting in payment of their energy bills. Such customers were connected back into the network after offering bribes. How will PHCN expect that such customer whom they have trained over all this years to cheat the system will suddenly change?
PHCN must start from purging herself of corrupt staffs. Then they must strictly enforce the penalty on meter tampering. Only then will they begin teaching a new lesson to some die-hard cheats.
PHCN must also have an effective mechanism for checking their defaulting customers. Since the new system is electronic, many options are open.
Labels: PHCN, Pre-payment meter
posted by passyjango @ 1:44 PM
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