Consumers Owe PHCN N540m

Auchi Business Unit of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) says electricity consumers in the district are owing the company more than N541.19 million.

The Spokesman, Mr Kayode Ilori, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Auchi that the army and the police units in the area were among the major debtors.

He said the army was owing the company more than N157. 24 million, but did not give any specific figure for the debt owed by the police, saying the debt was substantial.

Ilori expressed concern at the continued refusal of the major debtors to pay up and urged them to assist the company by paying their electricity bills promptly.

He also condemned the incessant harassment of the company’s staff mandated to recover the debt by customers.

“Some of the staff of the utility company have been beaten up while others were harassed in the process of distributing electricity bill or disconnection,” he added.

Ilori called for a legislation that would protect PHCN workers against such intimidation and to provide stern punishment for illegal connecting of electricity lines.

“The entire Auchi business district is wide and will need much hands to effectively monitor our facilities. The few staff that we have are beaten up and harassed each time they go about carrying out their legitimate duties.

“This is why we need a law that will protect PHCN workers and also prohibit illegal connection,” he said.

NAN reports that the district’s registered customers stand at 17,037.