The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) says it has no fake meters and could not have issued any to its customers.
Managing Director of JEDC, Alhaji Gidado Modibbo, on Wednesday, in Jos, said that JEDC’s meters were genuine products that carry a five-year warranty from the manufacturers.
Some protesting customers had alleged that meters issued to them were churning out “strange figures”, and accused JEDC of giving them fake products.
The protesters, who marched to the headquarters of the company in Jos, alleged that the meters were “consuming faster than normal”.
But Modibbo, who laughed off the allegations, declared that it was not possible for the company to have fake meters in its stores.
“We have spent N6 billion to purchase 80,000 meters that have five years warranty; the meters are supposed to ease services and improve revenue collection, and not complicate issues,” he said.
Corroborating the Managing Director, Executive Director (marketing), Mr Verr Jirbo, said that the meters were genuine and properly certified by government regulatory agencies.
“The meters were tested and certified by the Meters Testing Services (MTS) firms in Lagos and Abuja, as well as the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA),” he explained.
He blamed the complaints on the fact that people were used to “shunting” meters, and therefore uncomfortable with the quality of meters now in place.
“The meters are programmed to charge for the exact energy supplied to the specified lines. They are very effective in doing that and that is why some customers feel they are being overcharged,” he said.
Jirbo said that some engineers had examined some of the complaints but found that the said meters and the readings were “perfectly normal”.
He said that 40,000 meters had been deployed, out of the 80,000 procured in 2016, while the rest were being deployed across JEDC’s four states of Plateau, Gombe, Bauchi and Benue.
“Before the end of 2017, we shall have 50,000 more; the focus is to capture as many customers as possible,” he said.
The executive director said that the company had captured 450,000 customers in its data base, and explained that the feat had shored up its revenue collection.
He expressed happiness at the rising revenue rates, and attributed that to accurate billing, customer enumeration and correct classification, as well as effective data management.
On debt recovery, he said that governments, corporate bodies and individual bodies were owing “heavily”, but commended the federal government for voting N80 billion in the 2017 budget, to settle debts owed various players in the power supply chain.
“That money may not settle all the debts, but such show of concern is commendable; government is also looking into other interventions like concessions, waivers and other measures to help the players,” he said.
Jirbo urged customers to help the firm to deliver quality services by reporting noticed anomalies, and commended a customer for taking the picture of people engaged in illegal connection in a Jos residential area.
“Customers can also report dubious JEDC staff; we have arrested and prosecuted some. We have dismissed some. Just recently, we got judgment against some fraudulent ones,” he said.
He, however, said that it may be “very difficult” to reduce tariff as demanded by the protesters.
“Honestly, the business realities do not make it feasible; the macro economic situation will not make that easy. The dollar has become more scarce and expensive. inflation rates have risen, while mega watts from GENCOs and gas are in short supply.
“Customers must consider all these factors and be realistic. They must show some understanding because we must balance all the factors and forces so as to stay in business. We should not delude ourselves.”
On alleged discrimination in meters distribution, he said that the company focuses on areas of mass commercial losses to minimise such damage. (NAN)