Andy Essiet, Calabar
After nine months of outage, electricity supply has finally been restored to the Cross River State Government House.
The government house, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) according to reports owe the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) millions of Naira on bills and were disconnected.
However, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) PLC, Dr Benson Uwheru, upon his assumption of office, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Cross Rivers State, Senator Ben Ayade, to strengthen the partnership that co-exists between both organisations amongst other issues.
The PHED Boss explained the circumstances that led to the disconnection of the Government House from the PHED supply which was due to a breach in communication between PHED and the State Government and pledged his commitment to restoring power to the Governor’s Office.
Sharing other strategies with the governor that has been employed to secure qualitative and reliable power supply in the State, Dr Uwheru also called his attention to the challenges plaguing the plans owing to poor bill payment and suggested measures that can be employed to ensure seamless clearance of the indebtedness accumulated by Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) monthly.
Dr Uwheru commending the Governor for his prompt response, noted that the governor’s action as evidence of his decision to partner with the Disco as he looks forward to increased business relationship between both parties.
Gov. Benedict Ayade, Dr Benson Uwheru, MD CEO, PHED, Ivara Esu Dep. Gov, Cross Rivers State, Agella Ajere, Head Customer Services, Archibong Etim Key Account Executive, Dr. Eric. DG, State Electrification Agency
He said, “this singular action by your excellency sir, has proved beyond doubt your willingness to support us and be rest assured that I will in turn show gratitude by ensuring power is restored to the Governor’s office within 24hrs”.
Ayade who commended the PHED boss for the approach he has employed in conducting the affairs of PHED as well as his decision to restore supply to the Government House acknowledged the improved supply experienced in other parts of the State and applauded the MD/CEO once again for the feat.
He stressed on the need to sustain it and aired that the MD’s visit was a marker to a mutually rewarding relationship between the State Government and the Disco while pledging his commitment to consistent payment of bills going forward.
The Governor made good his pledge by clearing the bills accumulated by the Govt House while pledging to issue an irrevocable standing payment order (ISPO) to PHED for monthly deduction of N10m as payment for the MDAs electricity bills.
The MD/CEO had with him for the visit, the PHED Regional Head, Calabar, Mr Collins Igwe, Network Manager, Calabar Region, Engr Gabriel Modukpe, Head Customer Services, Angella Ajere, MDA Product Manager Calabar Region, Archibong Etim and the Executive Assistant Special Duties (EA-MD/CEO), Mr. Koyoyo Uhrorho.
