For established cases of energy theft, the whistle-blower
will be rewarded from the reconnection penalty paid by the culprit in
accordance with the fees stipulated in the NERC Order on Unauthorised Access to
Electricity Supply, Meter Tampering and Bypass for non-maximum demand and
maximum demand customers.
Where the culprit is a non-Maximum Demand customer, the
whistle-blower receives up to 10 per cent of the reconnection penalty paid by
the culprit, while in a case that involves a Maximum Demand offender, the
whistle-blower receives up to 5 per cent of the reconnection/penalty paid by
the culprit.
Whistle-blowers will only be rewarded after the culprit has
made full payment of the fees, the largest distributor said in a statement on
Friday.
However, where the report is made in the name of multiple
individuals, only one whistle blower per case will be rewarded.
According the Head, Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue,
whistle-blowers of energy theft cases who wish to be rewarded must provide
their full name, contact telephone number, e-mail address and customer account
number (where the whistle-blower resides within the IE network), without which
it may be difficult to reach out and reward such whistle-blowers.
All reports submitted through any medium will be considered
confidential, Ofulue said.
He added: “The Company views whistleblowing as a positive
practice that enables it detect incidents of unethical conduct, fraud and other
illegal activities early; thus, providing the opportunity to take corrective
measures.
“This is done in a confidential manner that enables IE
investigate the alleged misconduct and take necessary steps to deal with the
misconduct.”
In addition, he also stated that where the report is
established to have been made in bad faith or for the purposes of personal gain
or malicious intent, it will not be eligible for compensation.
It will also not be applicable where the report was not made
using the aforementioned whistleblowing channels.
Ofulue further reiterated the Company’s commitment to global
best practices in business ethics, stating its strict adherence to its policy
of zero tolerance to bribery and corruption, with focus on upholding ethics and
integrity.
“Ikeja Electric is committed to a culture of zero-tolerance
against fraud, bribery, corruption, misappropriation, illegal activities and
unethical conduct throughout its operations,” he said.
He expressed hope that this initiative will bring about a
cessation or significant reduction in the widespread scourge of energy theft
across its network.
Channels for reporting cases of energy theft:
i. Toll-free Hotlines: 0800-TIP-OFFS (0800 847 6337)
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