March 25, (THEWILL) – The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has raised concerns over a 25% surge in electricity-related infractions within its franchise area, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to its operations.
The company, in a statement issued by its Head of Corporate Communications, Olubukola Ilevbare, described the infractions as acts of sabotage, including unauthorized access to electricity, meter tampering, and bypassing.
According to Ilevbare, PHED will invoke relevant legal provisions to prosecute defaulters as part of its efforts to curb the growing menace.
“This move has become imperative as the management of the company has observed with dismay a 25% spike in electricity-related infractions, which gravely threatens the sustainability of the company,” she stated.
She explained the various infractions, noting that unauthorized access occurs when individuals illegally connect to the power grid, while meter tampering involves breaking meter seals or altering components to manipulate readings.
She added that meter bypassing— the most prevalent offense— involves diverting electricity away from the meter to avoid accurate billing.
To tackle these issues, she disclosed that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has introduced Order No.: NERC/2024/148, which prescribes heavy penalties for energy theft and illegal connections.
“First-time offenders with a single-phase meter will be fined ₦100,000, while repeat offenders will pay ₦150,000. Those with three-phase meters will pay ₦200,000 for a first offense and ₦300,000 for subsequent violations,” she said.
For maximum demand consumers, the penalties are even steeper.
“First-time offenders will pay 450% of their last recorded monthly consumption, while repeat offenders will be fined 600%of their last recorded usage,” she added.
Beyond the fines, Ilevbare noted that additional administrative and sundry charges apply to these infractions.
She further disclosed that PHED is working closely with law enforcement agencies to prosecute serial offenders in line with existing regulations.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
