From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has cautioned South-East residents against falling victim to any individual or group demanding money from them to process their prepaid meter application.
The company noted that EEDC does not charge customers a kobo for meter application.
The Head of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, on Tuesday in Enugu said this while reacting to an announcement that is circulating on the social media aimed at defrauding unsuspecting members of the public who are applying for prepaid meters.
Ezeh said that EEDC had an online meter application infrastructure in place that allows customers to apply for prepaid meters and monitor their applications seamlessly.
According to him, therefore, situations where customers will be made to pay for meter application is worrisome.
He said: “The announcement is alleged to have emanated from a group known as South East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA), signed by its National Chairman, Rev. Okechukwu Christopher Obioha JP.
“The association is allegedly requesting electricity customers who are applying for prepaid meter to submit their application form to the Association with a remittance of N5,000 into their First Bank account (2044673039) as cost for “data and other logistics”.
The EEDC Spokesman said that the management of EEDC frowns at this ugly development deliberately designed to defraud its customers and members of the public, describing it as “fraudulent and unacceptable”.
“We call on our customers not to allow themselves to be defrauded by paying for meter application as it is illegal, inapplicable and unnecessary.
“It is only the cost of the meter that customers are expected to pay for (under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) programme), after a Demand Note must have been issued to them, having formally applied for the meter through the approved official channel.
“All that customers who want to apply for meters need to do is to simply log on to the EEDC website (www.enugudisco.com) and fill the meter application form and submit, to initiate the process.
“Alternatively, they can visit their respective district offices or service centers with a copy of their bills and form of identification for further assistance by the customer service representatives.
“With this note of caution, EEDC will not be liable for any financial loss by any of its customers who fall victim to this illegal activity by this group”, Ezeh warned.
He, therefore, warned customers to always seek clarification and make enquiries on issues of concern through the approved EEDC communication channels.
“These channels included: its website (www.enugudisco.com), social media handles (Facebook, X, and Instagram), 24/7 Call Center (02084700100) or by visiting the Customer Service Unit at the District Offices,” he said.
