Ikeja Electric Plc has introduced incentives for whistle-blowers who expose energy thieves within its network as part of efforts to curtail the problem.

The electricity distribution company made the announcement in a statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Felix Ofulue, in Lagos.

Ofulue said for established cases of energy theft, the whistle-blower would be rewarded from the reconnection penalty paid by the culprit.

He said this was in accordance with the fees stipulated in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Order on Unauthorised Access to Electricity Supply, Meter Tampering and Bypass for non-maximum demand and maximum demand customers.

According to him, where the culprit is a non-Maximum Demand customer, the whistle-blower receives up to 10 percent of the reconnection penalty paid by the culprit.

He added that in a case that involves a Maximum Demand offender, the whistle-blower receives up to five percent of the reconnection/penalty paid by the culprit.

“Whistle-blowers will only be rewarded after the culprit has made full payment of the fees.

”However, where the report is made in the name of multiple individuals, only one whistle-blower per case will be rewarded,” Ofulue noted.

He said 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).

Ofulue said it may be difficult to reach out and reward such whistle-blowers without this information.

He said: “All reports submitted through any medium will be considered confidential.

“The company views whistleblowing as a positive practice that enables it to 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 to investigate the alleged misconduct and take necessary steps to deal with the misconduct.”

Ofulue explained that where the report was established to have been made in bad faith or for the purposes of personal gain or malicious intent, it would not be eligible for compensation.

He said it was also not applicable where the report was not made using the aforementioned whistleblowing channels.

Ofulue reiterated the company’s commitment to global best practices in business ethics, stating its strict adherence to a policy of zero tolerance to bribery and corruption, with a 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 optimism that this initiative would bring about a cessation or significant reduction in the widespread scourge of energy theft across its network.