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Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Energy thieves in the South-East geo-political zone of the country would henceforth be in for tough times as the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has formally inaugurated a Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO).
With the inauguration of SIPTEO, individuals and organisations engaging in acts of energy theft and meter bypass, as well as those involved in vandalism of electrical infrastructure would be made to face the wrath of the law.
Inaugurating the taskforce at the company’s corporate headquarters, the Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Oofficer, Mr. Paul Okeke, charged the team to be professional in the discharge of their responsibility, stressing the need for high level of integrity and respect for human rights.
Okeke noted that the high prevalence of meter bypass and energy theft in the South-East had been a serious challenge to EEDC, as the company has consistently recorded losses in its revenue on a monthly basis.
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The Acting Chief Executive who was in company of a member of the Board of Directors, Dr. Steve Dike; the Technical Adviser to the Board, Mr. Yateesh Kumar; the company’s Transformational Consultant, Mr. Okey Nwosu; Head of Taskforce, Miss Chinenye Okafor and other members of Executive Management of the company, said the situation was currently threatening the performance and sustainability of the company.
Leader of the 18-man special squad, SP. Spencer Tyozua, assured the management of EEDC that his men, who have been carefully selected for the job would be responsible and professional in the discharge of their assignment.
Speaking more on the taskforce, the Head, Communications EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh said, “It is therefore expected that with the inauguration of SIPTEO, the rate of theft and vandalism within the network will be reduced and this will bring about increase in revenue and more efficient service delivery to electricity customers in the South-East.
“It will be recalled that SIPTEO, which is a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Justice, EEDC and the Nigeria Police Force, was first inaugurated in Abuja in the year 2017, under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 and other regulations which empowers the taskforce to investigate, arrest and prosecute cases of theft, vandalism as well as recovery of lost revenue.
“We therefore warn all those involved in this criminal act to be ready for us, as there will be no sacred cow.”
