PHED Launches Regional Offices

RIVERS

The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc has unveiled a new business structure to constantly meet the increasing electricity needs of its valued customers and the challenging dynamics in the business operating environment as it strives to become the number one electricity distribution company in Nigeria.

The managing director and chief executive officer of PHED, Dr Henry Ajagbawa, disclosed this while addressing the executives of both the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) and the National Union of Electricity Employee (NUEE) during its maiden meeting at the company’s corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said the strategic drive to take its services to new frontiers has ushered in a new regional structure to replace the existing zonal structure for quick wins and produce smart goals in an evolving business environment.

Ajagbawa informed members of the unions that the new structure is intended to quickly drive performance and monitor the company’s operations at product levels.

He listed the three product categories as maximum demand (MD), non-maximum demand post-paid customers (PP) and pre-paid metered customers (PPM). 

According to him, this model will be delivered on a six-region structure, three product managers and commercial officers supported by several linesmen.

Ajagbawa commended the zonal/feeder management structure that existed and noted that it had made giant strides in improving the company’s revenue. 

However, the company is still struggling and has introduced this new model to help further achieve the company’s objectives, according to him.

He spoke extensively on the challenges of the company, ranging from inability to collect revenue from a large percentage of customers, restiveness, staff assault, deductions from source by authorities, inability to meet contractual agreements, paying TCN for energy not sold to a segment of consumers etc.

Ajagbawa, therefore, sought the support and understanding of the labour leaders on the modalities of implementation of the new business model and revealed that additional line workers will be hired to bridge operational gaps.

The PHED boss hinted that the existing crop of marketers and feeder managers may not have active roles like before based on the new structure.