EKEDC to Supply 60/66MVA Transformers to its Customers
The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has announced a significant step forward in improving electricity supply to customers in Ajah, Lekki, Eleko, VGC, Elemoro, and surrounding areas. This follows the commissioning of a new 60/66 MVA 132/33KV power transformer at the 330/132kV Ajah Transmission Substation, a key part of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). The transformer was installed in collaboration with Siemens and the Nigerian Government, alongside the Lagos Region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). This installation boosts the substation’s capacity from 223 MVA to 289 MVA, promising enhanced bulk power supply to the area.
The acting Managing Director/CEO of EKEDC, Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, represented by Mr. Joseph Esenwa, the Chief Finance Officer of EKEDC, made the announcement during a town hall meeting hosted by the Ajah District on Thursday. At the meeting, Mrs. Momoh reaffirmed EKEDC’s commitment to seamless power distribution, especially in Ajah and its surrounding districts, where power supply issues have been persistent. The new transformer will help address longstanding challenges and improve service quality.
Mr. Esenwa further assured customers that EKEDC has resolved the concerns raised during the last town hall meeting in the Ajah District. He emphasized that feedback from customers plays a crucial role in improving EKEDC’s services, as the company strives to be customer-centric. He said, “We are here to have first-hand information about how we are servicing you, whether good or bad,” highlighting the importance of a mutually beneficial relationship between the company and its customers.
A key point of the discussion was the role of customer payments in maintaining and improving EKEDC’s service infrastructure. Esenwa stressed that prompt payments from customers are vital for the company’s ability to procure and maintain equipment, including transformers, and for sustaining operations. He explained that the company’s ability to meet its obligations to contractors, staff, and stakeholders in the power supply value chain depends on a reliable cash flow from customer payments. “Energy is not free,” he reiterated, emphasizing the need for timely bill payments to enable continuous improvements in service delivery.
Mr. Esenwa also noted that EKEDC manages over 13,000 distribution transformers within its franchise area and receives thousands of customer requests daily. Although the company recently installed nearly 200 new transformers across its network, he acknowledged that the demand for transformers continues to grow as the customer base expands. He urged customers to remain patient as EKEDC works to address their needs, particularly regarding the installation of distribution transformers.
One of the critical areas of improvement highlighted by Esenwa was the company’s capacity to take on more power from the grid. He explained that there are two aspects to supply efficiency: quantity and quality. If the quantity of power available to customers increases, service delivery improves as well. This is part of EKEDC’s broader effort to upgrade its infrastructure to ensure a more stable and reliable power supply.
In addressing the migration of customers from other Bands to Band A, Mr. Esenwa explained that certain factors must be in place before such migrations can occur. These include EKEDC’s ability to consistently deliver power to customers and the customers’ ability to meet their monthly payment obligations. He noted that while EKEDC and Ikeja Electric may be able to migrate customers to Band A faster than other DisCos in Nigeria, the process cannot happen all at once.
Metering was another issue discussed at the meeting. Esenwa acknowledged that not all customers are likely to be metered by the end of the year, but he encouraged customers to take advantage of the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme. Under this scheme, customers can purchase meters and receive refunds through deductions from future token purchases. This initiative is intended to help address the ongoing challenges related to metering, and it offers customers a way to ensure they are accurately billed for their electricity usage.
EKEDC’s Head of Distribution, Engr. Henry Ukoh, provided further updates on the technical aspects of the new transformer. He mentioned that the TCN is monitoring the performance of the newly installed 60/66 MVA transformer, and in the coming days, it will be fully integrated into EKEDC’s network. This integration is expected to bring notable improvements in power supply, not only in Ajah but also in Lekki Phase 2, Sangotedo, and Oke-Ira.
Engr. Ukoh also addressed concerns about the delayed completion of a power project on Cooperative Drive in Badore, Ajah, which is part of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention program. He assured residents that the project is nearly 90% complete and is expected to be finalized before the end of 2024. Ukoh urged customers to report suspicious activities, particularly vandalism, which remains a significant challenge. He explained that vandals primarily target copper components in cables and feeder pillars, causing damage that disrupts power supply. He assured customers that EKEDC has zero tolerance for vandalism and called on the community to help safeguard the infrastructure.
Responding to complaints about customers being asked to pay for the replacement of aluminum conductors, Ukoh clarified that EKEDC has sufficient materials in its stores to meet customer needs. He disclosed that some Community Development Associations (CDAs) were allegedly colluding with certain EKEDC staff to extort money from customers for these replacements, which should be provided free of charge. He encouraged customers to report such incidents to their District Business Manager or escalate the matter to EKEDC’s headquarters if necessary.
The issue of delayed customer service responses was also discussed. Babatunde Lasaki, General Manager of EKEDC Corporate Communications, urged customers to take full advantage of the town hall sessions and to engage with EKEDC through its social media platforms. He emphasized that certain problems should not take days or months to resolve, and he encouraged customers to report delays through EKEDC’s customer service channels.
Lasaki also addressed the issue of bribery, urging customers to report any EKEDC staff requesting unauthorized payments. He explained that when community leaders give money to staff, it emboldens them to continue exploiting customers, often leading to repeated faults in the system. He advised customers to stop offering bribes and to escalate any issues they encounter, assuring them that EKEDC staff are there to serve without requiring any additional payments beyond the regular electricity bills.
In his contribution, Israel Kukuma, representing the Lekki Gardens Phase 2 Association, urged EKEDC to improve its response time to critical infrastructure needs. He revealed that the residents of Lekki Gardens had contributed over N200 million between 2020 and 2024 for the procurement of transformers. While EKEDC has delivered on some of its promises, Kukuma noted that a particular transformer procured in December remains unenergized. He called on EKEDC to reciprocate the community’s goodwill by speeding up the resolution of infrastructure challenges.
Overall, the town hall meeting underscored EKEDC’s commitment to improving power distribution and service delivery. The company’s officials reassured customers that they are working to address their concerns and enhance the quality of service across its network. The commissioning of the new 60/66 MVA transformer at the Ajah Transmission Substation is a critical step in this direction, as EKEDC continues to invest in infrastructure upgrades to meet the growing demand for power in its franchise areas.
Customers were urged to continue engaging with EKEDC through the proper channels and to report any issues they encounter, whether related to infrastructure, billing, or customer service. By working together, EKEDC and its customers can ensure a more reliable and efficient electricity supply in the areas served by the company.
