By Vera Osokpo
Ikeja Electric Plc has advised customers to avoid engaging unauthorised electricians and to report unsafe activities around its power infrastructure following recent accidents involving illegal electrical work.
The electricity distribution company issued the warning during its September Virtual Stakeholder Engagement, a monthly forum for educating customers, providing operational updates and addressing service-related concerns.
The Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment at Ikeja Electric, Olaniyi Olayiwola, cautioned customers against allowing unqualified individuals to climb electricity poles, work on power lines, tamper with electrical installations or carry out illegal connections.
He said some recent incidents involving unauthorised work around the company’s network had resulted in fatalities.
“Please do not engage electricians to climb Ikeja Electric poles. If you see someone carrying out unsafe activities around our infrastructure, kindly report to us,” Olayiwola said.
He urged customers not to confront or physically intervene when they observe dangerous electrical activities. Instead, they should report such incidents through Ikeja Electric’s designated safety and emergency channels.
Olayiwola also advised residents and communities to maintain sufficient clearance around high-voltage lines. He identified encroachment on electricity infrastructure and inadequate right-of-way as continuing threats to public safety.
The virtual engagement also featured updates on Ikeja Electric’s metering programme, including revised meter prices and the ongoing Meter Asset Provider refund process.
The company explained that eligible customers who had previously paid for their meters would receive refunds in the form of credits applied to their vending transactions over the approved refund period.
Customers can track their refund status online using their meter number or account number. The refund dashboard provides information on the original meter cost, the number of refunds processed, the monthly refund amount, the total amount refunded and the date of the most recent refund.
The system also provides details of the refund token sent to the customer’s registered telephone number or email address.
Customers experiencing difficulties or seeking clarification about their refunds were advised to use Ikeja Electric’s official complaint channels or visit the nearest undertaking office.
The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Okotie, urged customers to rely on Ikeja Electric’s verified communication and complaint platforms for accurate information and prompt assistance.
“Our engagement with customers goes beyond providing information. It is about ensuring that our customers have the knowledge and channels they need to stay safe, seek assistance and get their concerns properly addressed,” Okotie said.
The company said the September engagement reflected its continued commitment to customer safety, transparency and public education, while strengthening cooperation with communities across its network.