The suspect Kingsley Reginald caught in the act of illegal reconnection at Cherubim Road Extension, Port Harcourt
…Arrest 3 suspects over illegal reconnection
From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc has has vowed to recover over N172. 790billion owed the company by customers in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Port Harcourt, by John Onyi, Manager, Corporate Communications of PHED.
This as the company has disclosed the arrested of three persons over illegal connection of light.
It would be recalled that the licensed electricity distribution company had in a press release last week issued by John Onyi warned members of the public who are in the habit of reconnecting illegally to desist from it or have themselves to blame if caught.
However, the press release by Mr Onyi states that “The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc has made good its warning against illegal reconnection in its network by arresting two persons suspected to have unauthorized access to electricity and one person that reconnected illegally.
“The above paved way when ‘operation storm’, a task force team inaugurated by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Henry Ajagbawa to ensure that every non-electricity paying customer is made to pay, visited No.7 Cherubum Road, Off Tombia extension, Port Harcourt and discovered that the premises has been enjoying power supply without paying a dime to PHED.
“On further scrutiny, the two suspects namely Mohammed Ali and Victoria Joseph told a story of how they have been paying to someone they could not vividly give his name or location. They were subsequently arrested by the security agents that are collaborating with the company and handed over to UST Police station.
“The action of the two above has negated the Electricity Sector Power Reform Act 2005 , that frowns at unauthorized access to electricity by the members of the public and punishable by the law.
“Luck also ran out on Kingsley Reginald who was caught on the spot reconnecting a defaulting customer whose premises has earlier been disconnected along Cherubum Road, Port Harcourt. He was subsequently arrested and handed over to UST police station for further interrogation”.
The statement added that “With operation storm, PHED has vowed to recover over N172.790billion owed by customers in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states.
“Defaulting customers are advised to service their outstanding debt for energy consumed and desist from illegal reconnection”.
