The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company has decried poor payment culture by its post-paid customers in the South-East despite the steady electricity supply improvement.

Its spokesman, Emeka Ezeh, disclosed this in a statement in Enugu on Sunday.

Mr. Ezeh said the company had improved on the quality of its services.

“The fact that customers are so comfortable consuming our supply and not paying remains a matter of concern to us as an enterprise, as this attitude negatively impacts on our overall performance.

“This situation informed the need for us to embark on the Cash Drive exercise, to enable us to meet with these customers one-on-one to know why they are not paying their bills,” he said.

Mr. Ezeh added, “On a monthly basis, the company imports and distributes energy to its customers but ends up struggling to recover the revenue, thereby leaving the company with a rising debt profile.

“The fact remains that there has been steady and consistent improvement in the quality of services to our customers.

“It is expected that the impact of this improvement has to reflect on their bills and payments at the end of the month.”

The EEDC spokesman noted that if customers did not pay their bills, “there is no way EEDC can continue sustaining its operations and providing quality services.”

He advised customers who had issues with their electricity bills to take advantage of the established customer redress mechanism at the Customer Service Units and district offices to lodge their complaints.

“We are committed to serving our customers and appeal for their support in ensuring that they pay their bills promptly and avoid all forms of energy theft,” he added.

(NAN)