The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Gwagwalada, Tuesday cautioned consumers against avoiding prepaid meter.

They said those avoiding the meter risk being sanctioned and prosecuted.

The warning was given by the Gwagwalada PHCN Business Unit Manager, Alhaji Aminu Bello, during a Consumer Consultative Council Meeting organized by the unit in the council area.

He said the warning became necessary following the discovery of some sharp practices associated with the installation of prepaid meters in the unit, adding that plans were ongoing to fish out consumers who by-passed the prepaid meters installation.

The business manager however commended consumers in the unit for their support in protecting PHCN installations in the unit.

"As I talk to you, no vandalisation has been recorded in this unit since the beginning of the third quarter of the year and this would not have been possible without your support," he added.

He urged consumers to remain steadfast in the protection of power installations and said PHCN was doing its best to ensure improved supply of power to the unit.

The PHCN business manager disclosed further that the outstanding debt owed PHCN in the unit was N800 million and called for prompt offsetting of the bill to enable PHCN serve them better.

Some participants at the meeting commended PHCN for the improvement of power supply in the unit, pledging to continue to support the company in the protection of power installations.

Mr. Ayeni Adebayo, a participant, who called for prompt response to consumers' complaints in the unit, urged PHCN staff to work out machinery to ensure that no consumer by passes the prepaid meter installation.