The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has vehemently denied allegations of N4.3 billion misappropriation involving its Managing Director, Ochuko Amah, and other directors. The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Olubukola Ilevbare, described the claims as fabrications by mischief makers, urging the public to ignore the misleading information.
The allegations, which surfaced on a nameless blog, accused Amah, Governing Board Chairman Olice Kemenenabo, Chief Financial Officer Efemena Elutabe, and Matthew Edevbie of embezzling funds. However, Ilevbare stated that the claims were sponsored by disgruntled elements bent on tarnishing the company’s image.
PHED would have ordinarily not responded to the ‘baseless’ claims but felt compelled to clarify the situation to counter the misinformation. Ilevbare highlighted the company’s growth under Amah’s leadership, including a doubling of revenue and a reduction in aggregate technical, commercial, and collection losses.
Since Amah’s appointment as Managing Director on March 8, the company has achieved significant milestones, including a boost in revenue collection efficiency from 68% to 85% in just four months. The company’s Aggregate Technical, Commercial, and Collection (ATC&C) losses have also crashed from 43% to 28%, a feat never achieved in the company’s history.
It is worth noting that Ilevbare questioned the motivations behind the targeting of the Managing Director, emphasizing that Amah remains focused on achieving her five-point agenda to enhance staff welfare package, promote participatory leadership, enhance stakeholders’ satisfaction, boost revenue, reduce losses, and reward outstanding employee performance.
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It bears mentioning that the company also clarified that the August 12 picketing of PHED offices over staff welfare issues had been resolved following discussions with relevant labor unions. Resolutions agreed at the meeting include the payment of cost-of-living adjustment and a review of the conditions of service.
Lastly, Ilevbare assured the public that PHED is focused on serving customers better and urged them to disregard the campaign of calumny. The company remains committed to its mission of providing reliable and efficient electricity distribution services to its customers in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Cross River states.
