…Say customers owe them N81B
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The management of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc, Benue State, has called on its customers to settle their energy consumption bills promptly.
This appeal was made at the Customer Consultative Forum held in Makurdi, the state capital.
The State Operating Officer, Engr. Felix Adamu Shalzim, who represented the Managing Director, disclosed that the cumulative debt owed by customers in Benue State totals N81 billion.
He further explained that the average monthly energy consumption in Benue State stands at 33 million KWH, valued at three billion naira, while the company’s monthly revenue collection averages less than 30 percent.
Engr. Felix emphasized that the substantial debt owed to the company poses significant challenges to its operations and investment in network upgrades.
He urged customers to pay their energy bills promptly, ensuring the company’s sustainability.
In light of the company’s efforts to maintain service quality, Engr. Felix announced the establishment of a task force to disconnect defaulting customers, regardless of their status.
During the forum, Abraham Uji presented safety guidelines, advising customers to avoid building under power lines and to install safety appliances, such as Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB), Control Switch, and Change Switch.
He also cautioned against engaging unauthorized personnel to work on the company’s network.
Head of Customer Care and Relationship Management, Alhaji Umar, assured customers that their concerns would be addressed promptly and encouraged them to utilize the company’s social media platforms to report any issues.
Head of Regulatory Compliance, Barr. Abdullahi Adamu, advised customers interested in investing in the network to ensure compliance with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) guidelines on third-party investments.
Supervisor of the Revenue Protection Unit, Edwin Omenka, warned customers against tampering with their prepaid meters, emphasizing that offenders would face severe penalties.
The Head, Corporate Communications, Saratu Dauda, in a statement, said forum was convened to foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding between Jos Electricity Distribution Plc and its valued customers.