Chidi Samuel
In line with statutory requirements, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC) has become the first electricity distribution company in Nigeria to review operations as it held its 2013, 2014 and 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Benin with a commitment by the Chairman, Victor Gbolade Osibodu that customers will further witness an improved services in their dealings with the company.
Mr Osibodu according to a statement from BEDC, gave the assurance on Tuesday while addressing shareholders at the AGM held at the company’s Head office in Benin, Edo State.
“As we commence the New Year, we project better performance as we strive to ensure that we improve further on customer experience.
To our shareholders, we promise to create a world class institution by being the leading electricity distribution provider enabling sustainable economic and technological growth in Africa and adding value to all stakeholders”, he said.
The chairman commended management and staff of BEDC for their tireless effort in turning around the company in spite of the initial take off and transitional challenges, noting that the result of all this is manifested in the improvements in the operational performance over the last three years.
He added that most noteworthy also was the fact that the performance of the team resulted in various awards on safety and cash management.
Mr Osibodu also lauded the inputs of the Technical /Commercial and the Finance/Risk/Audit Board committees in ensuring effective guidance and policy direction of the management process.
BEDC is one out of the 11 successor distribution companies (Discos) created following the unbundling and privatization of state-owned Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc. (PHCN). It is the joint venture between Vigeo Power Limited and the Government of Nigeria represented by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Ministry of Finance Inc.
The Vigeo Power Consortium which became Vigeo Power Ltd acquired 60 per cent shareholding as the new core investor in Benin Disco and took over the asset on November 1, 2013. Vigeo Power shareholders consist of Vigeo Holdings Ltd, Global Utilities Management Co. Ltd (GUMCO), African Finance Corporation (AFC), Design Innovations Ltd (DIL) and VHL International (VHLI). The technical managers are, VIPL Global Services Ltd (operating as administrators of Vigeo Power Ltd), engaged Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL) and GUMCO to jointly handle the technical and commercial management of BEDC.
Since inception, BEDC had resolved over 60,000 complaints through the customer complaints unit, using centralized Call Centre and complaints tracking software; and has also resolved the backlog of metering requests at takeover, having installed over 120,500 meters.
On network improvement, and upgrade, the company has added new injection substations to provide relief to overloaded network and provided various distribution transformers; constructed dedicated distribution lines for commercial and industrial customers, including replacement of failed power transformers.
In addition, customers can now make payments for their electricity consumption in any bank location across the country as well as through selected ATMs, online internet payment platforms and through selected ATMs and Agents using Point of Sale (POS) terminals.
