MEET THE STAFF SERIES

Meter Looping, Overloads Major Causes of Fire

Khalil Ibrahim, Makera Area Office

CCD: Khalil Ibrahim as the Energy Metering Supervisor for Makera Area Office, briefly highlight some of your responsibilities.

KI: A lot is involved in metering; starting from meter installations, meter maintenance for both Maximum Demand (MD) and Non-MD customers. 

For Non-MD customers, we have the Prepaid Meters (PPM) and the Credit Meters (analog) with their readings taken at the end of every billing period. 

Our PPM customers are being monitored from time to time in order to guard against meter bypass and tampering. 

CCD: There has been a lot of attention on the metering department lately, how are you coping with the pressure?

KI: One of the commonest challenges we are facing is the issue of meter tampering/ meter bypass. On our part, we have been working tirelessly to see that we proffer a lasting solution. Although to some certain extent we don't have control over what people do, that is why we place a lot of emphasis on inspection and where a customer is found to have tampered with or bypassed a meter, we apply the company's policy to ensure that the customer is disconnected and made to pay the mandatory fine.

CCD: What precautionary measures does a customer need to follow to safeguard a meter?

KI: Some of the highest number of complaints I have received is from Doka Area office, which is the area I cover, since the commencement of the mass meter deployment.

Shortly after the installations, we started getting reports of burnt meters especially the CONLOG. In most of the houses we find CONLOG meters, we replace them with new Elswedee meter which has reduced the cases of burnt meters.  

However, I would like to say that there are a lot of reasons responsible for a meter getting burnt which the customer needs to be aware of. For instance, the customer should ensure that there is a balanced load on his energy consumption or the load should be balanced on each phase. Customers should desist from looping; which is a common practice among some of our customers. Looping is a case where you have a 3-phase meter and all the 3 phases are looped on one phase; this is one of the major reasons meters get burnt.

CCD: What would you describe as your achievements since the deployment of new meters?

KI: Yes, we have recorded quite a few achievements. Our number one achievement was being able to install those meters in spite of the resistance of some of the communities. According to them, the meters are "running fast".  That was why sensitization was part of what we were doing. The next thing we have had to contend with is the issue of bypass, which we have been able to manage by constant monitoring and disconnection/penalty for customers caught compromising the meters. 

Also, we noticed an increase in revenue generation just from the first month of installation.

CCD: We are aware that efforts are being made by the company to improve billing and reduce losses. Are these efforts yielding results in Makera Area Office?

KI: We are doing our best especially by certifying the Credit Meters to ensure that they are in good working conditions. From our observation some of the meters are not working. That is why sometimes we use the alternative method of billing by doing a load assessment, do the calculations so the company will not run at a loss.

CCD: As a Metering Supervisor how do you manage your subordinates?

KI: We have a work schedule that enables us to go for monitoring, there is also a meeting/ briefing session for every member of the team. We also work as a family. Even though we are understaffed we have found a way to do the job in order for us to achieve more.

CCD: If you are opportune to sit with the management what will you advise them to do?

KI: If I am opportune to sit with the management, I will start by talking about the need for more staff in the metering department given that our work is very demanding. 

 

KADUNA ELECTRIC FRONTLINE...DECEMBER EDITION

To Maintain Quality, We Adhere to Set Standards- Engr. Hamisu

Engr. Hamisu is the man in charge of ensuring that the planning involved in setting up all electrical installations in Kaduna Electric is properly done, and in accordance with standards set by the company and those set by the major regulators- NERC, NEMSA and NESIS. 

 He brings a wealth of experience in Power System Planning to the execution of his job, and with so much passion and doggedness. In this interview, he speaks about how regulations and strict supervision are helping him achieve his set objectives. Read on… 

Engr. Hamisu Usman, as the Team Lead Power Systems Planning, tell us what your unit was set up to achieve?

HU: Power System planning is a unit under the Engineering and Technical Services Department and it is saddled with the following responsibilities:

i) To conduct companywide power system planning studies that will add value to the company’s operational effectiveness.

ii) To plan layout of overhead lines and underground cable and solve problems such as determining height, location, spacing, guying, and insulating of poles.

iii) To ensure that all installations made are done with strict adherence to set standards by local and international regulatory bodies. 

iv) To carry out load forecasting and analysis for proper growth of the company.

v) To perform distribution circuit analysis for loading, voltage, reactive power, reliability, balancing and coordination.

How well has it achieved the purpose for which it was meant to serve?

HU: The Unit has so far achieved most of the purpose for which it was meant especially in power system studies, mapping of the entire company’s network, which really makes life easy in terms of job planning. We use Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) application, which is an open-source, and Java Open Street Map (JOSM). Most important achievement is enforcing of standards in construction work being carried out by contractors, which has to be in line with Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Standard (NESIS) and Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency (NEMSA). We are still a work in progress, we are not there yet but we are very optimistic.

We understand that this unit is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining the standards of the company’s installations/equipment how well has this been achieved?

HU: As I mentioned earlier, we follow NERC and NESIS standards which state the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ in terms of ensuring safety standards on all electrical installations. This is why we inform all contractors that we only commission projects that comply with Kaduna Electric’s and NERC/NESI standards. We developed a checklist which our Substation design engineers take to site for a second inspection before accepting the project.

Since there are regulatory bodies that oversee the activities of the Discos, how would you say their interference is affecting your job?

HU: I wouldn’t really call it interference; their job and ours tend to complement each other. Knowing that you have set standards binding on you makes it a lot easier to sanitize the practice internally and that of contractors handling installations. 

Have there been any sanctions since takeover? If No, how are you able keep it that way? If yes, how was it managed?

HU: There hasn’t been any. And as a unit, we have been able to avoid sanctions by ensuring strict adherence to regulations. We have some laid down standards in accordance with NERC and other regulatory bodies. There is also strict and regular supervision; where we detect any violation, the project will be denied commissioning. 

What would you consider your achievements since you became the Team Lead, PSPU?

HU:  My achievement as a Team Lead PSPU is that I carry all my team members along and I make sure the job is interwoven such that network design can cover substation design. Also during my lead, we have all Kaduna Electric’s network drawn, this include Distribution Transformers and Power Transformers. We have record of all number of distribution transformers, network route length both 33kv and 11kv.

MEEET THE STAFF SERIES

SERVING UNMETERD CUSTOMERS REMAINS OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE

CCD: Tell us about yourself?

MLU: I am Muhammad Lawal Umar, from Keana LGA in Nasarawa State, an innovative and dynamic Power Electrical Engineer. At present, I head the Metering Department of Gusau Area Office. I have over 16 years experience in the power sector (both in Transmission and Distribution) and a Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE).  I was opportune to attend National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) and was in the Control Room, PC&M section, Power System Planning managing several aspects of the company.

CCD: How long have you been with Kaduna Electric?

MLU: I joined the defunct NEPA, which later became PHCN in 2001 after completing my diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from Kaduna polytechnic. And I am still with the company now that it has been privatized. I am able to achieve this with a lot of coordinated planning and being on my toes.

CCD: You are in charge of the metering unit in Gusau, tell us what your responsibilities are.

MLU: My primary tasks are planning, organizing, directing and supervising energy metering activities within Gusau.

I am involved in supervising and reviewing the work of staff involved in the installation, maintenance, testing and operation of electric metering equipment and load management devices.

I also analyze and monitor Meter Data Management (MDM) reports to reduce metering losses and/or errors as well as the resolution with meter communications failures. 

I oversee the design, installation and maintenance of location metering on large customer loads to maintain the highest level of accuracy, including review of instrument transformer installation, records, and testing.

Managing the integration and maintenance of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) metering equipment and ensuring system functionality and integrity are part of what I do. 

More so, I review system status data and recommend necessary change(s), supervise metering system evaluations, review and analyze test reports and implement initiatives to address technical issues and improve processes. 

Other roles I carry out include: electing and managing the implementation of metering equipment vendor software systems, tools and ensuring effective training of employees; ensuring accurate testing and record keeping for electric meters, including accurate calibration of testing instruments.

CCD: Some people confuse the role of the Metering Department with that of the Technical Department, could you clarify this?

MLU: The Metering Department is different from the Technical Department in the sense that the Metering Department solely carries out metering activities, which include installation maintenance, monitoring and reading of all meters. The technical department on the other hand deals with power network planning, installation and maintenance of the power line and its equipment.

CCD: Given the fact you have gathered some experience since the days of erstwhile NEPA, what would you advise the new management to do regarding revenue generation?

MLU: The management can increase revenue by aligning four critical areas viz: strategy, structure, people and processes. In doing so, they will have to set specific, measurable objectives and tactics across key areas in order to optimize revenue. Another strategy will be to pursue a cost reflective tariff.

 There should also be a comprehensive plan for managing theft and enforcing accountability and by focusing on four measures earlier mentioned.

They should ensure that strict laws to address electricity theft are enacted; there is need for increased customer awareness.

CCD: In your opinion, do you think that the deployment of more Pre-Paid Meters will address the issue of low revenue generation?

MLU: If customers are provided with adequate smart prepaid meters it will go a long way in reducing energy losses and lead to increased revenue generation.

CCD: What would you consider the most challenging part of manning this unit?

MLU: I would say it is in the handling of unmetered customers and convincing them to pay their bill promptly.  

CCD: You have been in this industry for over 16years, what would you consider your greatest contribution to this organization?

MLU: I would say that my flair for problem solving and data analysis has led to the reduction in energy theft; this I have achieved by organizing seminars (at Area Office Level) to educate Feeder Supervisors and Sales Representatives on how to identify meter by-pass and the consequences of energy theft. 

I have also enlightened them on how to educate their customers on need to take energy management seriously.

CCD: If you were to give your colleagues some tips on how to succeed professionally, what would it be?

MLU: My advice to my colleagues is to be more proactive on their day-to-day activities as this will go a long way in reducing some of the losses we incur.

They should stop all acts of indiscipline and corruption or anything capable of tarnishing the image of this great company. They must also remember that there are rules and regulations guiding the execution of any job, which must be strictly adhered to.