Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has stepped up efforts to reinforce safety protocols and protect power infrastructure across its coverage areas, with management warning of the dangers posed by sabotage, vandalism, and energy theft.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Rekhiat Momoh, delivered the message through Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulkadir, General Manager of Revenue Cycle, during a customer engagement forum on Thursday at the Lekki Business District in Lagos.
She explained that the initiative aligns with EKEDC’s core objective of delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable electricity. The forum, she said, was designed to foster direct interaction with customers and provide immediate responses to issues raised.
“This town hall bridges the gap between service providers and customers,” she noted. “It brings us closer to the realities on the ground, helping us resolve problems collaboratively and improve our service delivery.”
The Lekki Business Unit covers Lekki Phase 1 Zones 1 to 10, as well as Ikate, Jakande, Chevron and surrounding areas.
According to Momoh, safety remains the company’s foremost concern, not just for its workforce but also for the general public. She noted that EKEDC has launched enhanced safety training for staff, modernised its monitoring systems, and adopted new technology to safeguard its installations.
“By encouraging safety practices and shielding our infrastructure, we reduce risk, avoid outages, and raise the quality of electricity supply,” she said.
Rising incidents of infrastructure vandalism and electricity theft have prompted renewed calls for vigilance. Momoh appealed to customers and communities to take ownership of protecting critical electrical assets and report any suspicious activity through the company’s confidential whistleblowing channels.
“Everyone has a role to play in securing our infrastructure,” she warned. “Illegal connections, meter bypass, and sabotage are not just crimes, they put lives at risk and destabilise the entire supply chain.”
She added that a significant proportion of those apprehended for vandalism were former staff dismissed for misconduct. “Over 80 per cent of the culprits once worked with us. We need the public to help identify these criminal elements,” she said.
EKEDC has already commenced the upgrade of aging infrastructure in the Lekki District, replacing defective transformers and equipment. Momoh said these interventions represent substantial investments running into millions of naira.
She confirmed that Band A customers in Lekki were among those who benefited from the recent federal government Meter Asset Fund (MAF) initiative, which supports the deployment of prepaid meters. Customers were urged to update their Know Your Customer (KYC) records to ensure smooth installation.
Addressing customer concerns over tariffs, Momoh gave assurances that the company remains committed to premium service delivery for Band A users, explaining that higher charges cover the cost of dependable, high-quality supply.
“We’re focused on ensuring value for every naira paid,” she said.
However, she expressed concern over non-payment and energy theft by some customers, which she said are already impacting transformer performance. To address this, EKEDC has implemented a minimum payment policy, requiring customers to settle at least 50 per cent of a transformer’s total bill before supply restoration.
Community representatives commended EKEDC for its improved engagement and responsiveness. Mr Osas Airen, President of LECECODA (Orchid Road, Lekki), praised the speed of fault repairs and recent service improvements.
“We’ve noticed real change. These sessions show EKEDC is paying attention and taking action,” he said.
Alhaji Suleman Sanusi of the Whitesands Community echoed the praise, particularly for the utility’s Rapid Response Team. He urged communities to support the company’s management in tackling vandalism and other criminal activity.
Sanusi also acknowledged EKEDC’s progress in expanding access to prepaid meters to reduce reliance on estimated billing.
“The public must help protect these assets. Securing the infrastructure means securing our comfort and economic wellbeing,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming that the sustainability of electricity services rests on collective responsibility. Through stronger community ties, infrastructure investment, and strict safety measures, he said, EKEDC is working to deliver better power supply, one neighbourhood at a time.
