By Oriri Peter

Troubled by the spate of electricity vandalism in its franchise states, the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc, has concluded arrangements to deploy drones and closed-Circuit Television (CCTV), to tackle the menace affecting it’s facilities.

Decrying the high rate of vandalism, the JED Managing Director Engr. Abdu Mohammed who spoke at the beginning of a 3-day workshop in the city of Jos on Tuesday said the new measure is aimed at curtailing the threat of vandals in the four states of Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, and Plateau respectively.


He said in addition to the drones and CCTV cameras, security operatives have been mobilized and well-detailed to aid the company in apprehending criminals who are bent on vandalizing electricity facilities.

In addition, Mohammed advised communities to take ownership of the installations in their localities, as it will help in safeguarding transformers and other electrical equipment closer to them.


He assured of a steady power supply if the activities of vandals can be halted and also promised that the company will provide more meters for its customers who have not been metered.

Responding to private individuals or companies who would want to invest in meter procurement, the JED boss said regulators now allow third parties, which are nonlicensed operators, to invest in the system through a project agreement.

“Any individual, corporate organization, or community that wants to invest in the system now has the opportunity to do so. A structured repayment program is also fashioned into the agreement”, Mohammed said.

The Managing Director disclosed that the company was poised to meter every consumer by injecting over 417, 000 meters into its network.

According to him, JED has sealed all contractual agreements with meter providers, the world bank, and National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

The Managing Director further explained that with the NMMP phase one coming into play very soon, the company is set to meter more of its customers.

“With World Bank Intervention being in process, we expect 305,000 from NMMP phase one and also expect another over 100,000 in the World Bank Intervention program and currently, we have 12,000 meters processed two days ago.

“We have the MAP still in progress with other initiatives in place, our customers will see traction in this direction”, Mohammed said while answering questions from journalists.

Responding to the third-partyvestors, the JED boss said regulators now allow third parties, which are nonlicensed operators, to invest in the system through a project agreement.


“Any individual, corporate organization, a community that wants to invest in the system now has the opportunity to do so. A structured repayment program also fashioned into the agreement”, Mohammed said.

Speaking earlier, Commissioner, Consumer Affairs, National Electricity Regulation Commission, (NERC) Hajia Aisha Mahmud, said the purpose of organizing a 3-day workshop is to educate customers on their rights and any other information they need to know regarding the electricity industry.

She explained further, “Metering is one of the biggest challenges faced in this industry. A couple of years ago, the commission together with the federal government came up with a different Intervention program to make sure that customers are metered”.


The Commissioner further disclosed that the purpose of organizing the 3-day workshop was to educate customers on their rights and any other information they need to know regarding the electricity industry adding that, “We also want to resolve their complaint on the spot”.

PeterOnu:
By Oriri Peter

Troubled by the spate of electricity vandalism in its franchise states, the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc, has concluded arrangements to deploy drones and closed-Circuit Television (CCTV), to tackle the menace affecting it’s facilities.

Decrying the high rate of vandalism, the JED Managing Director Engr. Abdu Mohammed who spoke at the beginning of a 3-day workshop in the city of Jos on Tuesday said the new measure is aimed at curtailing the threat of vandals in the four states of Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, and Plateau respectively.


He said in addition to the drones and CCTV cameras, security operatives have been mobilized and well-detailed to aid the company in apprehending criminals who are bent on vandalizing electricity facilities.

In addition, Mohammed advised communities to take ownership of the installations in their localities, as it will help in safeguarding transformers and other electrical equipment closer to them.


He assured of a steady power supply if the activities of vandals can be halted and also promised that the company will provide more meters for its customers who have not been metered.

Responding to private individuals or companies who would want to invest in meter procurement, the JED boss said regulators now allow third parties, which are nonlicensed operators, to invest in the system through a project agreement.

“Any individual, corporate organization, or community that wants to invest in the system now has the opportunity to do so. A structured repayment program is also fashioned into the agreement”, Mohammed said.

The Managing Director disclosed that the company was poised to meter every consumer by injecting over 417, 000 meters into its network.

According to him, JED has sealed all contractual agreements with meter providers, the world bank, and National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

The Managing Director further explained that with the NMMP phase one coming into play very soon, the company is set to meter more of its customers.

“With World Bank Intervention being in process, we expect 305,000 from NMMP phase one and also expect another over 100,000 in the World Bank Intervention program and currently, we have 12,000 meters processed two days ago.

“We have the MAP still in progress with other initiatives in place, our customers will see traction in this direction”, Mohammed said while answering questions from journalists.

Responding to the third-partyvestors, the JED boss said regulators now allow third parties, which are nonlicensed operators, to invest in the system through a project agreement.


“Any individual, corporate organization, a community that wants to invest in the system now has the opportunity to do so. A structured repayment program also fashioned into the agreement”, Mohammed said.

Speaking earlier, Commissioner, Consumer Affairs, National Electricity Regulation Commission, (NERC) Hajia Aisha Mahmud, said the purpose of organizing a 3-day workshop is to educate customers on their rights and any other information they need to know regarding the electricity industry.

She explained further, “Metering is one of the biggest challenges faced in this industry. A couple of years ago, the commission together with the federal government came up with a different Intervention program to make sure that customers are metered”.


The Commissioner further disclosed that the purpose of organizing the 3-day workshop was to educate customers on their rights and any other information they need to know regarding the electricity industry adding that, “We also want to resolve their complaint on the spot”.

No wonder Bauchi State and its LGA's have not been having constant light

That’s good move.


Mehn