Energy theft: Ikeja Electric to reward whistleblowers

Ikeja Electric Plc, says it has introduced rewards in form of incentives to anybody who provides information leading to arrest of energy thieves within its coverage area.

For established cases of energy theft, the whistle-blower will be rewarded from the reconnection penalty paid by the culprit in accordance with the fees stipulated in the NERC Order on Unauthorized Access to Electricity Supply, Meter Tampering and Bypass for non-maximum demand and maximum demand customers.

Where the culprit is a non-Maximum Demand customer, the whistle-blower receives up to 10 percent of the reconnection penalty paid by the culprit while in a case that involves a Maximum Demand offender, the whistle-blower receives up to 5 percent of the reconnection /penalty paid by the culprit.

Whistle-blowers will only be rewarded after the culprit has made full payment of the fees. However, where the report is made in the name of multiple individuals. Only one whistleblower per case will be rewarded.

According to the Head, Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, whistle-blowers of energy theft cases who wish to be rewarded must provide their full name, contact telephone number, e-mail address and customer account number (where the whistle-blower resides within the IE network); without which it may be difficult to reach out and reward such whistle-blowers. All reports submitted through any medium will be considered confidential.

“The Company views whistleblowing as a positive practice that enables it to detect incidents of unethical conduct, fraud and other illegal activities early; thus, providing the opportunity to take corrective measures. This is done in a confidential manner that enables IE to investigate the alleged misconduct and take necessary steps to deal with the misconduct,” he said.

In addition, he also stated that where the report is established to have been made in bad faith or for the purposes of personal gain or malicious intent, it will not be eligible for compensation. It is also not applicable where the report was not made using the aforementioned whistleblowing channels.

He expressed hope that this initiative will bring about a cessation or significant reduction in the widespread scourge of energy theft across its network.

The company provides a channel for customers to make reports in a confidential manner; for it to investigate alleged misconduct and take steps to deal with any misconduct.

Channels for reporting cases of energy theft include: Toll-free Hotlines: 0800-TIP-OFFS (0800 847 6337), Web Portal: www.ikejaelectric.com/whistleblowing, E-mail: [email protected] and Mobile App: Download Deloitte Tip-offs Anonymous App on Android or iOS devices