Energy theft: PHED accuses firm of attempt to bribe staff
Port Harcourt -- The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHED, has accused a business entity, Mexis Group Limited, of energy theft and attempt to bribe its staff members with N1 million.
PHED alleged that the company specialises in energy theft, bribery and meter bypass in the Rumuolumeni axis of Port Harcourt.
This came as the power distribution company intensified its campaign against meter bypass, energy theft and vandalism.
PHED Head, Corporate
Communications, Mr John Anonyai, said upon discovery of the meter bypass, the firm attempted to bribe officials of PHED with the sum of N1 million, in order not to escalate the crime.
Anonyai said after due investigation, it was discovered that the firm has been illegally feeding from two different feeders for many years, stealing energy worth over N36 million.
He stated: "A business conglomerate, Mexis Group Limited is currently swimming in energy theft and bribery scandal having been caught in the criminal act of meter bypass by officials of PHED, in the Rumuolumeni axis of Port Harcourt.
"Upon discovery of the meter bypass, it was obtained that the proprietress contacted the electrician who buried the service cables underground spanning to the corridor of the premises where she operates a giant cold room to quickly excavate the cables and rearrange the connections to appear like it was never tampered.
"The proprietress who became destabilized, made a bribery advance of N1million to PHED official in an attempt to stop the escalation of the meter bypass offence. This was foiled as the company’s goal of zero tolerance to corruption is highly entrenched by staff.”