By Michael Eboh

Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company Plc (Ikeja Disco) has upgraded its systems to enhance secure, convenient and more efficient payment options.

6According to a statement by Mr. Pekun Adeyanju, Head Communication Strategy, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, the upgrade will make it possible for prepaid and postpaid customers within its network to make bill payments or buy tokens via vouchers, Point-of-Sale terminals, bank branches and online banking portals as well as on Ikeja Electric’s website.

He further stated that the upgrade has facilitated the alignment of payment options within Ikeja Electric, a development that invalidates previous payment options.

Speaking on the development, Abiodun Ajifowobaje, Managing Director, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc, said the the new payment platforms are being powered in collaboration with First City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB), United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS).

Acording to him, it will ensure that post-paid customer accounts are credited promptly, avoiding unplanned service interruptions while prepaid customer are provided more convenient vending channels.

He said, Ajifowobaje, “The upgrade is a result of a comprehensive study of our network which was geared towards ensuring that customers have seamless payment options.

“The new regime has eradicated any likelihood of wrong entries or delayed confirmation of payments by customers.

“As long as the customers pay with our Ikeja Electric vouchers, at approved POS terminals agents, via NIBSS eBillsPay at bank branches or online banking channels, the transaction is effected in almost real time,” he said.

He identified the partnering banks to include: Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc,  FCMB, Fidelity, Enterprise Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Heritage Bank Limited, among others.

Others are: Jaiz Bank, Keystone Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Sterling Bank, United Bank for Africa Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Union Bank Nigeria Plc, Wema Bank Plc, and Zenith Bank Plc.