Power companies asked to implement projects in pipeline

PEPCO for action against defaulters to recover dues.

LAHORE: Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) has underscored the need for implementing all energy projects in the pipeline in an effort to improve power generation and mitigate the energy crisis afflicting the country.

Presiding over a meeting of chief executive officers (CEOs) of power distribution companies at Wapda House here on Monday, Pepco Managing Director Rasul Khan Mahsud asked the CEOs to take stringent action against defaulters to recover dues as well as control power theft.

Mahsud stressed that Pepco was making efforts to reduce transmission and distribution losses and eliminate electricity theft through concerted efforts, which were focused on developing extra vigilance.

He asked the CEOs to adopt a positive, consumer-friendly and focused approach to bring qualitative and quantitative improvement in their companies. He also reviewed the drive to recover outstanding amount of power bills from defaulters including private and government consumers.

The distribution companies had already served notices of power disconnection to defaulters. Pepco owes billions of rupees from the private sector including textile mills, steel mills, paper industries, chemical factories and others.

Mahsud said though power supply had improved, the CEOs were asked to effectively manage power load and its distribution. Talking about complaints of overbilling by the consumers, he said these should be addressed and not a single unit be charged extra by the companies.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2011.