MEET THE STAFF SERIES

Adequate Logistics, Prepaid Meter Installation Will Help Collection

CCD: Tell us a bit about yourself.

ID: My name is Iliya Danjuma, I hold a HND in Electrical Engineering (Power & Machine Option) from Umaru Waziru Federal Polytechnic.

As a Service Centre Supervisor (SCS Yauri) my job includes monitoring, overseeing the affairs of the service center, instructing and coordinating.

CCD: As Service Centre Supervisor, what are the challenges you face daily?

ID: Well, the challenges are numerous but we are managing to surmount them. These challenges are not new, I worked with the then NEPA/PHCN at different capacities namely: Electrical Fitter, Service Engineer, Operation and Maintenance Engineer, Planning and Construction, and now with Kaduna Electric as Service Centre Supervisor. 

I operate an open-door policy; I entertain everyone's view. 

CCD: Yauri Service Center has one of the largest coverage areas in the Area Office, how do you manage it?

ID: Yauri Service Center is not only the largest it also has the oldest network compared to other service centers. For instance, we record higher faults levels, most conductors are obsolete, we contend with cases of vandalism and illegal connection.

We have a customer population of 4,206 comprising both potential and active customers. The Service Center has an average monthly collection of 3million with potential to do more if given the necessary support. In fact, with the eventual commencement of the pre-paid meter we can collect N6million monthly. All we ask for is for the management to come and install pre-paid meter and repair our vehicles.

CCD: What message do you have for other Service Centers?

ID: I urge all of us to be committed and re-double our efforts in making our company the best in all ramifications. It is also important to uphold standard practice in the industry, as this will make us excel as a company.

CCD: You get supply from Kontagora (under Niger State). Can you share some of the lessons you have learnt from this experience?

ID: The voltage is very low, and we can only receive 17-19KV, instead of 33kv at our control room. Also, on 11KV, we receive 6-7KV instead of 11KV. Another problem on Nasko/Yelwa Feeder is the 4 to 8 hours load shedding every day. This is largely due to transformer limitation from weak conductor and transformer overload. 

CCD: Do you have any word of advice for management?

ID: There are more marketing challenges facing our company today than before.  I want the management to focus and update its customer database making sure that all end users are dully captured through proper enumeration. By so doing, it is easier for a successor to cope with the challenges usually associated with transfer of new markets and customer identification. Also, the management should invest more in buying more equipment, materials and staff welfare.

CCD: How do you spend your leisure time?

ID: I spend my leisure timed appraising my past activities, revisiting areas that need my attention. I also work on areas of opportunities and threats. 

CCD: what are your hobbies?

ID: I listen to news and I play indoor games.