The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has introduced more payment channels for ease of payment by its customers, its Head of Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, said in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Enugu.

Ezeh said that the new payment channels would help to complement the existing payment through Cash Offices within the Service Centers and District Offices of the company.

He noted that the idea was to ensure that customers pay electricity bills with ease and convenience; thereby, avoiding situations where they had to travel long distance to make payment.

“This initiative is borne out of EEDC's commitment to improved service delivery, with special focus on the customer. These alternative payment channels include: Direct transfer into EEDC bank account, this is mainly for Maximum Demand (MD) customers.

“Interswitch pay direct via QuickTeller; E-Transact channels, which allow customers pay their bills via bank apps; and Energy Pay, which is on EEDC website (www.enugudisco.com).

“Just recently, we have collection agents, made up of Paga, Capricorn Digital, Fetswallet, Fidelity Bank, G-Pay, Vatebra and Fucil Datatech. These collection agents have presence in rural communities, with over one thousand locations across EEDC network,’’ he said.

According to him, with these alternative payment platforms in place, customers can easily access and make payments with their post-paid bills or buy more units of energy for their pre-paid meters.

Ezeh stressed that receipts should be obtained for all payments, either physical or electronic receipts, which is usually confirmed via text messages or electronic mail.

He, therefore, advised that customers must ensure they collect and crosscheck their receipts after payment to forestall any mistake.

He warned customers against making payment to EEDC field officers, insisting that all payments must be made through approved channels and receipts obtained immediately.

The EEDC spokesman recounted that non-payment of electricity bills remained one out of the challenges faced by EEDC in carrying out its operations.

“The business cannot do much if customers do not support it by paying their electricity bills as and when due.

“Customers are also advised to avoid meter bypass, energy theft of all sorts and vandalism of power installations, as these acts impact on the quality of service to customers,” Ezeh said.