Following the recent hike in energy tariffs by electricity distribution companies (DISCOS), the Enugu State University of Science and Technology College of Medicine (ESUCOM) has initiated ways of cutting down energy waste to enable the institution cut down its monthly wage bill.
This was even as the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof Uchenna Ekwochi lauded the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah, for the support the institution had been receiving from the administration since the constitution of the management.
Describing the new wage bill from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) which arose as a result of its inclusion in the Band A category as “extra-ordinary electricity bill syndrome,” Prof Ekwochi, over the weekend in Enugu, said the outrageous bills had forced the institution to think inwards and devise innovative and creative ways of energy management.
In his welcome address at a one day seminar, held at the ESUCOM Auditorium, organized by the college to sensitize the management, staff and students on the new ways to guarantee sustainable power supply and cost-effective utility bill, the provost charged the institution to brace up to the new reality by cutting down on unnecessary consumption and wastage of energy.
He noted that it was the only way the college could remain afloat and maintain stable power supply from the EEDC, insisting that the attitude and practice of waste must be effectively eliminated across the academic community.
He bemoaned the outrageous bills EEDC had sent since the college was placed under the Band A category which rose from two million naira monthly to over eleven million naira.
“The college is hopeful that this sensitization seminar will be impactful and will encourage change in attitude of users by putting electricity into only meaningful use with zero energy wastage,” he stressed.
Speaking on the topic; “Energy Management in the Current Era of Extraordinary Electricity Bill: A Sure Tool for Sustainable Supply”, the keynote speaker as well as General Manager, Enugu Rural Electrification Board, Engr. Christopher Ezeoha, stated that the college could cut down waste to the barest minimum through deliberate conservation of energy.
According to him, users of energy in the institution must be mindful of some basic rules that will enhance cost-effective consumption and reduction of bills associated with waste.
He highlighted some of the key steps to arriving at reduction in energy waste to include, disposal with hot plates which have high energy consumption rate, usage of rechargeable fans instead of air-conditioners or in the alternative, inverted air-conditioners which conserve energy.
The speaker further urged lecturers and students to switch off their lighting system when not in use, dispense with electric irons and use rechargeable irons, and rechargeable lanterns for reading and other study activity.
“It is important to unplug electrical appliances when not in use or whenever we are leaving our rooms, offices or classrooms to avoid energy wastage. This is also for safety reasons,” he added.
Engr. Ezeoha called for strict compliance with those basic rules that would eliminate waste through the setting up of a committee that would enforce conservation of energy.
The highlight of the seminar was the constitution of the College Energy Management Committee (CEMC) by the provost to ensure that the academic community adheres with the rules.