By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED), has rolled out a meeting campaign that connotes a move to meter all its customers in its franchise States, beginning with 12,000 meters supplied to meter a part of Jos city.
The Managing Director of the Company, Engr. Abdu Mohammed had assured the company’s customers that JED will put an end to estimated billing and to achieve this free meters will be given to all. https://sundiatapost.com/electricity-embrace-map-scheme-to-obtain-meters-jed-urges-customers/
Beginning with a section in Jos South Local Government Area, Rantya community, Mohammed said the energy company will demonstrate compliance by ensuring that all the entire community is metered.
He also appealed to residents not to bypass the meters when installed, warning that there is now a law in place that prosecutes offenders.
According to him: “It is important to note that we chose the Rantya community to commence this exercise. We have procured meters in large quantities to cater for the entire Rantya feeder. Everybody on the feeder shall be metered free of charge. https://sundiatapost.com/jed-md-visits-energy-suppliers-targets-increase-in-electricity/
“I have also instructed my colleagues to ensure that supply is steady, reliable and available. I also want to implore that customers do not bypass these meters as we plead that they should protect the entire venture so that we can re-invest to ensure energy availability”, he said.
“We have stocked over 12,000 meters to install under phase 1 of our metering programme. We are starting with Rantya. We will also procure more at the end of January to ensure that we meter our customers end to end.
“Safeguard the meters by protecting them against willful damage and bypass.
“A single-phase meter costs over N80,000 while a three-phase meter costs over N140,000 per meter but we are giving you these meters free of charge.
“Please take ownership of the meter. Do not allow anybody to tamper with it. Report all faults officially to JED. Don’t allow third-party electricians to tamper with the meters.
“We have engaged the services of the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO) established by the Federal Government whose responsibility is to investigate, prosecute and jail electricity thieves and vandals”, he said
In his remarks, the Chief Operating Officer, Alhaji Mammanlafia Umar urged residents to help JED apprehend those who are bypassing meters. “Speak out when you see electricity thieves”, he added.
Umar stressed that once these meters are bypassed, it defeats the purpose of the investment. “For your information, it has now become a crime for the offenders”, he said.
Our correspondent reports that in addition to the harvest of meters procured for distribution, the energy company has also introduced Point Of Sales (POS), Machine into the system to enable customers to pay their electricity bill at the comfort of their homes or workplace without going to a nearby office.
However, Dr. Friday Elijah, Head Corporate Communications Jos Electricity Distribution Company, spoke in a statement he personally signed and sent to our correspondent on Friday.
