Blackout: AEDC, Customers Tango Over Harassment, Epileptic Power Supply, Others

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC Plc) and its customers are at one another’s neck over incessant harassments and assaults one hand and epileptic power supply to customers and excessive estimated billings on the other hand.

Even as electricity users complain of lack of power supply, low shading, frequent destruction of household electronic equipments due to power upsurges and excessive estimated billings despite absence of light, the AEDC laments of frequent harassments and assaults of its staff on legitimate duties.

According to a statement by AEDC
Chief Marketing Officer, Donald Etim, there had been four incidents of attacks on the staff within two weeks.

He said: “We value our staff and are concerned about their utmost safety, especially when they are carrying out their lawful duties. We will go to the full extent of the law to ensure that any assailant is brought to
justice.”

He cited that an assailant, one Moses Malam attacked an AEDC Staff with a machete in Life camp District, adding that he had since been charged to court for criminal trial.

Currently, he disclosed that the Nigerian Police is investigating assault cases against one Rasheed Layinde of Chika village, Millicent Daniel and another assailant of Lugbe District.

He further expressed his aversion to these unlawful acts, adding that: “All the attacks left the AEDC Staff involved with severe bodily injuries.

He noted that although the perpetrators had all been arrested while one case has been arraigned in court, but said these incidents were completely avoidable.

“Aggression against any staff of the company is not the best approach to solving complaints or issues, as various online and offline channels have been provided to enable our customers to reach us”, he said.

He explained that AEDC is currently implementing initiatives to reduce assault on its staff by encouraging customers to use the Company’s available complaint resolution channels, the Staff Verification Portal to confirm the identity of its staff, and its whistleblowing channels to report
improper conduct or illegal conduct by its staff.

Etim assured that in the interest of the safety of AEDC staff and for an improved relationship with
customers, AEDC will continue to hold community engagements with its customers to find ways to
amicably resolve all pertinent issues of concern.

He appealed to electricity consumers to relate peacefully with AEDC staff while assuring all its customers that the Company wil continue to
discharge its professional responsibility to the betterment of its entire franchise area at all times.

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