MEET THE STAFF SERIES

How Customer Tariff Re-Classification Is Helping Our Revenue Collection

CCD: Abubakar Garba, tell us how your journey to Kaduna Electric started? 

AG: I joined the company in January 2006 when it was PHCN as Lines Officer and was seconded to the Marketing Unit as a marketer. So, I had the opportunity to witness the transition from PHCN to Kaduna Electric. 

I spent five years in the Marketing Unit. I was one of the lucky ones that scaled through a rigorous recruitment exercise by Kaduna Electric in 2015. I have supervised a few Service Centers, namely Birini Kebbi Road Service Center, Rinji Sambo Service Center, Gunmbi Service Center and Diori Hammani Service Center.

Currently, I am the Supervisor for Water Works Feeder. The journey has not been easy because of the nature of the service we provide but there have equally been some achievements, which we must not fail to acknowledge. For instance, when I assumed duty at the Water Works Feeder in August, the revenue collection for July was at 6Million Naira. Between August and September it grew to 8.4million. We have now moved to 9.1Million Naira and we are not relenting; we will continue to put in our best in meeting our set target.

CCD: As a supervisor, how do you describe your leadership style?

AG: Well, my primary assignment is to steer the activities of Marketing, Engineering and other units under my Service Center with the sole objective of ensuring a 100% revenue collection, ensure that customers' complaints are resolved within shortest time possible. Also, I monitor the bill distribution on daily basis, from when bills are printed to distribution stage.

CCD: What is your total customer population?

AG: I can categorically state that we have 4,350 customers; this is due to the steady increase in the number of customers captured compared to the total existing number of 3,850 as at when I resumed in August 2017. Records have also shown that an average of 150 customers are captured on a monthly basis, we hope to hit higher figures.

CCD: Give us a breakdown of your customer classification?

AG: Out of a total of 4,350 customers, 4,307 are post-paid customers, 43 are prepaid customers.

CCD: What are your strategies for an effective cash collection?

AG: We ensure that all MD and Non-MD bills are printed within the first week of every month, after monthly salaries have been paid to enable salary earners pay their bills. Also, we have established and maintained a good relationship with traditional rulers in the rural communities who have been beneficial to us in terms of revenue collection and generation. We have embarked on an extensive tariff re-classification to ensure that our customers are appropriately placed on their tariff class to further boost revenue collection.

CCD: What is your staff strength?

AG: We have a total number of 16 staff members, 10 are Sales Representatives, three are Linesmen, a CCR, a Cashier and a Metering staff.

CCD: What would you like to be remembered for?

AG: I would like people to remember me for my integrity, honesty and transparency.

CCD: Any word of advice for your staff?

AG: On a final note, I would want all the staff to remain dedicated to duties and for us all to focus on achieving the company vision.