The Management of BEDC Electricity Plc (BEDC) has reiterated that the proposed free electricity supply to all Nigerians for 2 months to make life easier during the Coronavirus (CIVID-19) pandemic is yet to be implemented and as such customers should continue to pay their bills.
This was in reaction to news making the round that some customers in part of Ekiti state were engaging the services of electricians to reconnect after being disconnected for non-payment of electricity bills on the excuse that Federal Government has promised free electricity.
According to BEDC, no decision has been taken by the federal government on the proposal, while nobody is sure of the date of implementation, implying that electricity supply to customers presently is not free.
In a release signed by the Management and forwarded to newsmen, BEDC says prepaid customers need to vend energy token to avoid service disruption when they run out of energy units, while postpaid customers need to settle outstanding bills to avoid disconnection.
“This is so because if the free electricity palliative measure is approved, it will not cover the past bills. Customers are therefore advised to manage their energy consumption at this critical period to avoid accumulating huge bills that may be difficult to pay in the event that the measure is eventually not approved,” BEDC said further.
The distribution company assures customers that it shall continue to provide quality service across its touch points and improve availability of electricity supply to alleviate the hardship faced by customers during the coronavirus pandemic period.
BEDC pointed out that it was in view of the need to ease the hardship that it has increased significantly power availability to several customers in some locations cross its franchise states, while suspending the rotational load management schedule for power supply.
In Ekiti State, customers in Agric feeder comprising of Agric, Mobil/Water, Moferere, Bamgboye, Falana/Olujoda, Ajebandele, Covenant among others had their daily power supply doubled from 6 to 12hours. Those in Ado-Ekiti under Basiri Basiri/ Textile, Bank Road, NTA/Judges qtrs. Olorunsogo, Better life, Iyin road had their power supply availability increased substantially to 15hours.
In Ado-Ekiti, customers under Ado-Odo feeder, Okesha Feeder and Ajilosun feeder consisting Odo Ado, Igirigiri, St. Paul, Poly Road, Immigration, Okesha, Okeila, Old garage, Housing, Afao Road, GRA, Spotless, Ile-Abiye/ Isato, Omisanjana, Irona, Ijigbo and Ajilosun respectively now enjoy 12 hours power supply.” BEDC stated.
It enjoined customers to pay their bills noting that anybody caught in the act of illegal reconnection will be arrested and prosecuted in line with Ekiti State Electricity Regulations.