Collective effort: PESCO taking special measures to curb losses in suburbs

Company’s union helping in recovery, dismantling illegal connections.

PESHAWAR:

Concerned about extensive line losses, Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) CEO Tariq Sadozai recently visited Rehman Baba sub-division on the city’s outskirts to discuss the company’s affairs with officers.

“Line losses at Rehman Baba subdivision are more than 70% and an exclusive volunteer campaign of Pesco’s Hydroelectric Labour Union is currently under way to not only increase the recovery of arrears from consumers but also curb the illegal use of electricity,” informed Pesco spokesperson Shaukat Afzal.



“This way the union can play its role in reducing line losses,” he said, adding that three 11 kilovolt power feeders for the subdivision are in Urmar, Baghban and Kachori areas of Peshawar.

Hydroelectric Labour Union Secretary General Gohar Taj said, “To make Pesco a profitable organisation, all stakeholders have been asked to step up and take responsibility to reduce line losses and increase the recovery of arrears.”

Taj informed that a maiden open court was held earlier to help solve problems faced by the subdivision’s consumers which yielded positive results. He said their recent drive has led to the recovery of almost Rs2.7 million. He also added three distribution transformers were removed earlier and electricity supply was only restored on the condition that no one would use illegal power connections and every bulb will be replaced with energy savers in the area’s houses.

Taj said the Pesco chief executive had been informed during his visit that any case of a meter reader involved in taking bribes will be dealt with harshly.

The Pesco spokesperson said Sadozai told officials on the occasion that if the promised level of performance is delivered, the company’s outstanding officials will be awarded cash prizes, promotions and other benefits.

Sadozai also told officials that the company is taking every step to address consumer complaints and has also directed to provide 5,000 electricity meters to consumers of Rahman Baba subdivision on a priority basis. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2014.