By: Nwakaji Peace Martins
Abdu-Bello Mohammed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), disclosed that the company acquired prepayment meters at a cost of N7.29 billion between August 2020 and April 2024.
Mr Mohammed made this announcement during a one-day informative session organized by the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) for JEDC customers in Jos on Friday.
The session centered around the theme of “Enhancing Consumer Awareness and Strengthening the Customer Service Capacity of Electricity Distribution Companies,” aimed to engage with customers and provide them with valuable information.
The CEO clarified that the acquisition of prepayment meters for measuring energy consumption was aimed at closing the metering gap.
He further noted that by April 2024, the company had successfully installed 249,897 prepayment meters across its operational areas.
Additionally, he highlighted that JEDC had allocated N10 billion between 2021 and 2023 for network expansion and reinforcement, as part of the capital expenditures sanctioned by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Mr Mohammed expressed confidence that the company’s investments would lead to a more reliable and high-quality power supply in its operational areas.
However, he expressed concern that the company was currently facing challenges caused by human activities.
He specifically identified vandalism, energy theft, and customer arrears as major challenges.
“Between 2021 and the first quarter of 2024, we have lost over 500 distribution transformers, AVM transformers, and numerous lengths of aluminum conductors worth billions of naira to vandals.
“The actions of energy thieves have also resulted in significant financial losses for the company,” he remarked.
The CEO urged customers to help protect the company’s infrastructure in their communities.
He also appealed to customers to settle their energy bills promptly to enable the company to deliver better services.
Earlier, Sunday Oduntan, ANED’s Executive Director of Research and Advocacy, cautioned customers against engaging in energy theft.
