850 students get free energy efficiency training in Rivers
NAN-H-96
Training
By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt, Jan. 26, 2017 (NAN) No fewer than 850 students of Model Secondary School, Elekahia, Port Harcourt have benefitted from energy efficiency training aimed to educate students on efficient use of electricity and electric appliances.
Mr John Achife, Chief Operating Officer of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) flagged-off the exercise titled: Energy Efficiency School-to-School programme on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
He said that PHED planned to cover 400 secondary schools in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states as part of its drive to reduce waste of electricty by consumers.
According to him, the company decided to take the programme to students due to their ability to learn fast and imbibe what they are thought.
“Research has shown that children are always the ones who will remind their parents and guardians that they forgot to switch off the light bulbs and air conditioners, among other electric appliances.
“This is because at such young age, children have not formed a habit which is common among adults,” he said.
Achife said that customers needed to switch-off their electric appliances, such as air conditioners, electric fans and bulbs when they leave their houses and offices, especially when such appliances are not in use.
He said that customers who used less-efficient electric appliances should also be ready to pay more than those who use less energy consuming appliances.
“For instance, why purchase an electric gas cooker and electric iron that is about 2000 watts in capacity when a customer can buy a 500 watt appliance which will do same job.
“Why use a tokunbo refrigerator, when a customer can use a brand new refrigerator which consumes less energy and reduces their electric bills monthly.
“Having these factors in mind, PHED felt the need to educate students by making them become aware as they grow up and also educate their parents on the need to be frugal in their lifestyles,” he said.
Achife wondered why some customers refused to pay their electric bills, especially when such individuals spend more money generating same electricity from their petrol and diesel generators.
He explained that electricity produced from petrol and diesel generators cost N51 and N100 per kilowatts generated while PHED charged N24.91 per kilowatt.
Rivers Commissioner for Power, Mr Micheal Anwuri, who commended PHED for the initiative, said that electricity was the major cause of fire outbreaks in the state.
He said that several lives had been lost to electrocution while properties worth millions burnt due to electricity spark and leakages.
“So, if students learn to become careful with electric appliances and become energy efficient themselves, then fire outbreaks will reduce drastically,” he pointed out.
Some students who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the programme had thought them ways to conserve and manage electricity at home and public places. (NAN)
DES/MEMO
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Edited by Mike Mbonye