MEET THE STAFF SERIES

Insecurity Hinders Our Collection

CCD: Give us a brief insight into the man, James Olanrewaju Okunola. 

MA: I was born in Kaduna, attended Air Force Secondary School Kaduna where I obtained my SSCE before I proceeded to Kaduna Polytechnic for a National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology. I obtained a BSC in Biochemistry (first-class Hons.) from Babcock University in 2012. I obtained an MSc in Biotechnology from Nigerian Defence Academy in 2016.

CCD: When did you join the company and what are your primary responsibilities?

MA: I joined the company on 1^st September, 2015. My primary responsibility as SCM is to oversee the affairs of the Service Centre. I am the company representative at Service Centre level. I address customer complaints promptly and ensure all company policies are duly implemented in line with the vision of the company.

CCD: Could you shed more light on the Marketing aspect of your responsibility?

MA: Marketing Department is basically the revenue-generating department of the company that interfaces with customers to enhance customer satisfaction; it also ensures that their bills are promptly paid. 

The skills acquired from marketing have helped me make critical financial decisions in life so marketing is inseparable from our day to day life.

CCD: What are the challenges associated with being a Marketer?

MA: The major constraint we have in Mafara 33kv Service Centre is insecurity; it poses a major threat on how far we can go in the field. It prevents us from having access to some potential and even existing customers thereby limiting our collection efficiency. Other challenges are the nature of the environment and limited educational level of the customer, which makes dissemination of information occasionally difficult.

CCD: What would you consider your shortcomings as an individual and how it affects the job?

MA: My major weakness is that I can be too critical of myself. A pattern that I have noticed throughout my career is that I often feel I could have done more, even if objectively I have done well.  One solution I have implemented over the last three years is to actively pause and celebrate my achievements. Not only has that helped my own self-esteem, it has also helped me genuinely appreciate and recognize my team and other support systems.

CCD: What then are your strengths?

MA: My strength in terms of my job is my ability to interact with all kinds of customers, from the calm to the temperamental to the uneducated and all. 

 I am very collaborative that is why I have always preferred to work in groups. I have worked with a varied group of people since my entry into Kaduna Electric.  I am equally always motivated by diverse creative tasks. Since I began managing my current team, I have increased productivity by almost 30% over the last 10 months.

CCD: What is your take on HR's policy on building staff Career Path?

MA: Overtime, company policies have been addressing staff career path, which I believe every staff should key in as this will enhance productivity and staff welfare would progressively improve.

CCD: What skills or experience do you offer that will help you succeed in your current role?

MA: As a certified Customer Relationship Manager, I am trained to maximize the tools and resources at my disposal to enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction. 

Working with Kaduna Electric has offered me an opportunity to train and develop myself because I was privileged to be among the staff trained at NAPTIN as well as other internally organized trainings which have boosted my knowledge and performance on the job. 

CCD: Any appeal or suggestion to Staff and Management?

MA: My appeal to staff is to remain dedicated, diligent and focused. Hard work is a propeller to greatness.  To management: staff welfare and provision of adequate working tools should be of upmost priority.

MEET THE STAFF SERIES

Why Store Personnel Require Training

CCD: Joseph Olusanya, tell us a bit about yourself.

JO: I am the Team Lead, Store, Doka Regional Office, Kaduna Electric. As a Team Lead, I oversee all the activities of my Unit. 

I make sure that every officer in my team carries out his or her duties diligently and effectively. And I execute any other responsibility I am required to perform while protecting the interest of the company at all times.

Everything is done in an orderly manner to ensure that we account for everything we give out after we get an approval from the BDRO. I ensure that no material goes out of our store without the BDRO's approval and we also give gate pass for security to check at the gate.

Usually, if there is any fault in the field the Technical Manager calls the attention of the Lines Engineer to book for what is required.  Thereafter, it will be taken to the Technical Manager, and with the approval of the BDRO, it means the material can be released.

This will be accompanied with a receipt and a gate pass, which is part of the clearance procedure.

CCD: How do you ensure that materials in store are kept safe?

JO: Unlike the practice in the past where we collected the materials and kept them in store, we no longer operate that way. Whenever there is need for materials, we make request to the Head Office before they are given to those who requested for them.

The ones you see on the ground here are mostly obsolete but materials like Feeder Pillar Unit, Aluminum Conductor are ordered from the head office based on request.

CCD: Do have a working arrangement with the Security team to ensure safety of the materials?

JO: Of course, there is. Like I mentioned earlier, there is no any single material that goes out without a gate pass and proper check/investigation at the gate by the security personnel.

CCD: What key projects would you say you executed in 2018 in your department?

JO: Since my assumption of duty at the Store in July 2018, from Makera Regional Office, we have executed a lot of projects like relocation of Poles, construction of SilverBird, Isa Kaita, NTI and just recently released materials for work to commence in Dan Kande.

 After the materials have been issued, I go to site to ensure that the materials issued are the ones being used. 

CCD: What are the challenges you are facing in discharging your duties?

JO: One of the major challenges we face is our inability to get materials on weekend from the Head Office. Sometimes the materials might be urgently needed but cannot be released without approval. Look at what I have raised since 16^th of this month and today is 18^th and up till now I have not got an approval because the person to give the approval is very busy.

There is also the problem of transporting the items and not having someone to approve in an event where the main approval person is busy. 

It is important to say that we have seen people from other departments going for trainings but no staff from the Store has been nominated for training. 

Cash is involved in buying the materials we keep in the Store, we also need to account for every single kobo spent, that is why I think we need to attend training designed for us and whoever attends can share the knowledge with the rest of the team.

CCD: Any suggestions/appeal to the Management or Staff?

JO: My advice is very simple; let somebody be there to represent the person in charge of approval to avoid the delay associated with getting an approval. 

On the other hand, my appeal to staff is to have passion for the job. The best way to grow is it to be better than what you were yesterday. Set a target and try to surpass that target every day.

MEET THE STAFF SERIES

We Need To Do More To Change Customers' Attitude to Payment

CCD: Let us start with your background, who is Merian Chibuzor?

AMC: I was born and brought up here in Birnin Kebbi. I speak English, Igbo and Hausa Languages fluently. I attended Polytechnic Staff Nursery and Primary School; I later proceeded to Federal Government Girls College, Gwandu for my Secondary education. I obtained the Higher National Diploma in Accountancy from the prestigious Waziru Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi.

To satisfy my desire to develop my managerial potentials I then proceeded for my Post­graduate Diploma in Business Management after which I enrolled for my Masters Degree in Business Management, which is in view. And now I am a staff of this great Company Kaduna Electric.

CCD: How long have you been in the service of this great company?

AMC: I became a member of this wonderful family on the 14^th day of September 2015 as a Sales Representative posted to G.R.A Service Center Kebbi Regional Office. Towards the middle of the year 2016 I was then redeployed to Gwadangaji Service Center as Sales Representative. On the 1^st of the month of June 2018 I was transferred to Tudun Wada Service Center as the acting Service Center Manager and that to date.

CCD: Can you tell us what your primary responsibilities are as a Service Center Manager? 

AMC: My primary responsibilities as acting Service Center Manager are to effectively supervise and coordinate the activities of my Service Center in the most profitable manner, to ensure our esteemed customers are satisfied with the services we render to them.

CCD: What value do you think your office is adding to the Company?

AMC: Well, the whole work is a collective effort, teamwork and dedication, as an acting Service Center Manager when I am able to discharge my responsibilities effectively and efficiently the results will impact positively on my Service Center which will be reflected in the regional office and the company as a whole. 

For example, when I was made the acting Service Center Manager the Feeder was a Red feeder, but with the help of God, our commitment and dedication, we were able to move Tudun wada Service Center out of the Red feeders to a Yellow feeder and we are striving tirelessly to move it to a Green feeder by the special grace of God. My colleagues and I will not relent until we are able to achieve it.

CCD: Being the only female in the Service Centre, are there any challenges associated with that?

AMC: Well, life itself is challenging.  The main challenge I am facing is from Tudun wada Service Center where there is a reluctance, customer apathy to payment because most of them claim to be peasant farmers, fishermen and laborers.

There is also lack of knowledge of energy management due to the demography of the area; some of them are ignorant and are not aware of the modern trends, they know the importance of our service to them and yet they are unwilling to pay for electricity consumed.

They still have the mentality that electricity is one of the dividends of democracy they are to enjoy from the government as citizens of the country.

CCD: What are the solutions to these challenges?

AMC: Basically, we have to tackle these challenges through enlightening and educating our customers and bringing the message of advocacy to them; it is no longer business as usual. The electricity distribution company is a private company owned and managed by private business owners who have invested a lot and are entitled to return on investments. Our customers have to be committed to paying their electricity bills to enable us serve them better.

CCD: This is 2019 what are your plans?

AMC: I thank God for bringing us into the New Year. This year I see my Service Center performing beyond expectations. I am planning to re-visit the various community leaders and youth leaders within my Service Center coverage areas, to foster and promote a cordial relationship between us. And of course, most importantly, to ensure compliance and regular settlement of their electricity bills.

CCD: What advice can you give to staff?

AMC: I would like each one of us to take our job seriously and for us to take ownership of the business. I am sure that if it were our business, we would not want to see it suffer.

We have to work as a team; we should shun all forms of indolence, to be more serious and committed towards making our company the preferred choice in terms of service delivery and customer satisfaction.

KADUNA ELECTRIC NEWSLETTER JANUARY 1ST EDITION

Reward & Recognition Already Encouraging Healthy Competition

By Halima Shuaibu

Barely a year after introduction of the Reward and Recognition Scheme, the initiative has started yielding positive results by way of raising the performance bar. This is according to the Team Lead, Industrial Relation & Employee Welfare, Oluwakemi Asanbe.

Mrs. Asanbe in a chat with KE Newsletter correspondent revealed that even though the scheme is relatively new, it is already impacting on performance of all staff members particularly among Service Centers and Regional Offices employees.

Speaking on the motive behind the introduction of the Scheme, Asanbe said it is to show appreciation, to recognize and reward outstanding performance.

This, according to her, has motivated top performers to do more and those that are not doing well to strive to excel.

Reacting to complaints by some people that the reward is not monetary, Asanbe said the awards are built on the premise that human beings crave recognition and appreciation even if it is not monetary. According to her, so far, the presentation of certificates and trophies has brought smiles to the faces of many and has greatly motivated them.

The categories of awards are: Shining Star, Service Center and Regional Office Awards.

Asanbe made reference to recent R&R event which took place in December tagged: the MD’s Award, where Supervisors and BDROs openly bragged about who was going to win the coveted trophy.

"Therefore, we are proud to say that it has already started breeding healthy competition.

"By implication, the performance threshold will be raised which ultimately means our performance will improve as a company".

On whether the process of selection is transparent, she said that for the regional offices and service centers it is figure based, meaning that they cannot be subjective or subject to the human factor.

As for the Shining Star, the staff Reporting line/Supervisor does the grading but aside from delivering on the job an employee would be graded by attitude to work, things like punctuality, willingness to work, initiative etc.

To Remain #1 On Safety Requires Deliberate Efforts

By Halima Shuaibu

Following the National Electricity Management Service Agency’s (NEMSA) pronouncement of Kaduna Electric occupying the number one position on Safety for 8 times in 2018, there has been a renewed call to maintain and surpass this feat in the new year.

The call is coming from the Team Lead, Health, Safety & Environment, Engr. Gimba Saleh who said the new year’s resolution is to exceed the record set in safety by the company.

Engr. Saleh who was speaking in an exclusive interview with our correspondent said the theme for this year’s resolution is: “Zero Accident”. According to him, this calls for a concerted effort from staff   to achieve it.

On its part as a department, Saleh hinted that strategies have been mapped out and execution will start soon.

“We have a target to conduct training once in every month to boost the awareness and understanding both at the head office and regional office.

Not only that, we also have sensitization programmes for customers/ third parties to educate them on how to avoid unsafe acts

The challenges, he noted are mainly getting people’s cooperation and the logistics needed.

“A lot of people are not eager to provide us with the necessary information that will enable us work on our weaknesses or put measures in place to forestall it.

On the issue of logistics, he lamented the inadequacy of vehicles in our Area/Regional offices required for proper monitoring to ensure compliance.


 Maintaining Your Skin this Harmattan

 

1. Drink lots of water

If you are the type that rarely drinks water, you need to fall in love with drinking water now. It is easy for you to get dehydrated during this period because of the intensity of the sun’s radiation. This will greatly affect your skin.
So, make water your best friend. Keep a bottle of water beside you at all times. Remember, drinking water is a way of moisturizing your skin from the inside out.

2. Moisturize daily

The harmattan weather comes with fogs and dry winds that easily sap off the moisture form your skin. This is no period to use moisturizers in little quantity. Apply them as many times as you can.
Also, make sure that you moisturize while your skin is still damp. This way, it is very easy for your skin to lock in moisture. Ensure that you use an oil-based moisturizer, it keeps moisture locked in for a longer period of time.

3. Get yourself natural oils

Natural oils are great antioxidants. Instead of using lotions, you could get natural oils like; palm kernel oil, coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and so on. They are easily absorbed into the skin and serve as a protective barrier against the heat of the sun.
You could also mix these oils with your moisturizing lotions.
Essential oils at this period are also a good choice. You could get lavender oil, argan, rose, etc. They provide your skin with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

4. Use mild products

The harmattan does a good job of keeping your skin dry. You do not want to worsen things. Make sure that your soaps, cleanser, toner and all other beauty products do not have harsh ingredients that strip the skin off its moisture.
Stay away from beauty products that have astringents or alcohol — or even fragrances — in them. Avoid skin irritations at all cost. The effects of irritations are worse when your skin barely has enough nutrients to stay healthy.

5. Use a sunscreen

The importance of sunscreen during harmattan cannot be overemphasized. Due to ultra-violet radiation for the sun, you might experience sun burns, pigmentation and discolouration.
Sunscreen serves as a shield for your skin against the sun. So, though you might be under the sun, the sun rays do not affect or cause damage to your skin.
Ensure that your beauty products contain sunscreen especially one with an SPF that is above 30.

6. Wear protective clothing

This is not the time for mini skirts and backless tops. Make sure that your skin is well covered — as much as you can. Exposing your skin directly to the sun causes a lot of damage to your skin. So, bring out your long skirts and long sleeve tops.
Also ensure you wear hats or caps to keep your face away from the sun. In short, stay away from the sun as much as you can.

7. Pay extra attention to your hands, feet and lips

We pay little attention to our feet and hands when it comes to beauty and skincare. Usually, the focus is the face and neck.
However, during this period, you need to take special care of your hands, feet and lips. This is because they are the ones that get affected most.
To avoid dry hands or cracked feet, you need a hand and feet lotion. Also, get a lip gloss or balm for your lips to prevent them from drying out or breaking.

8. Do not take your bathe with hot water

This one might be hard to obey because harmattan mornings are usually cold. No matter how tempting it is, hot water is bad for your skin. The heat strips your skin off its natural oils. The harmattan weather is already making your skin dry and the little natural oil left, you do not want to dry up with hot water.
If taking your bath without heating your water isn’t an option, then make sure you use lukewarm water.

9. Take night baths

No matter how tired you are after the day, do not go to bed without taking your bath. The harmattan weather is extra dusty. You will have dust clinging to your skin and clothes. After a long day, make sure you shower. Also, remember that using a very mild soap is important during this period.

10. Do not forget to exfoliate.

If you do not exfoliate before, this is the right time to go get an exfoliator. The essence of exfoliating is to scrub away dead skin cells. Exfoliating also encourages the growth of new and healthy skin cells.
You are to exfoliate twice in a week. Ensure that you do not overdo it to avoid stripping your skin off its natural oils. Also, ensure that you use a gentle scrub. Do not use anything that will be harsh on your skin.

Culled from https://www.beaucrest.ng/skin-fresh-in-harmattan/

MEET THE STAFF SERIES

Collaborative Efforts Make Enforcement Easy

CCD: Can you briefly tell us about yourself?

NI: I am Nasiru Isa, born on August 14th, 1977 in Isa town, Sokoto state. I hold a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from Usman Danfodio University Sokoto in 2012. Prior to joining Kaduna Electric, I worked with Apt Securities and Funds Limited as an Investment Officer.

CCD: When did you join Kaduna Electric and what is your primary assignment?

NI: I joined Kaduna Electric in September, 2015. I now work in the Enforcement Department as a Supervisor, Sokoto Regional office. The mandate is to ensure we conduct an efficient and effective enforcement exercise by conducting daily surveillance and routine patrol to identify any form of energy theft.

CCD: One of the major challenges confronting the company is its inability to fully account for the energy received. What do you think can be done to improve the situation?

NI: As a supplier of energy the company needs to develop the right strategies for energy audit, as it is more important to do what is strategically right than what is immediately profitable. Enhancing operational efficiency through effective enforcement exercise, meter deployment, effective energy management will help in reducing both technical and commercial losses.

CCD: How does your responsibility add value to the company?

NI: As EFCC of the company, we must ensure we maximize profit by ensuring that the customer has qualitative service delivery and at the same time ensure that the company is not being short-changed.

We are the foot-soldiers working to save the company from losses.

CCD: Being in the enforcement department, what is your relationship with other units and how do you work as a team?

NI: Our relationship has always been cordial and result oriented especially Assessment Unit. Everybody is given opportunity to participate and contribute as a team member and we work towards achieving our set target. We feel appreciated and honored to be given this responsibility.

CCD: What are your strengths?

NI: My strength is the passion I have for the job which I think is due to my commercial background.  It has been my desire to work where performance is appreciated and where I can be among the best.

CCD: Any appeal or suggestion to staff and management

NI: To my Co-Staff: we should continue to work as if we are shareholders of this company by putting in our best, develop passion for the job and add value to the company.

To the management: the company needs to continue to enhance operational performance which is key to our success. I believe this company has the potential to be one of the best in the industry.

MEET THE STAFF SERIES

Arrest, Prosecution of Vandals Have Reduced Revenue Leakages

CCD: Let start with the background, who is Ismail Ishaq?

Ismail: Ismail Hamza Ishaq is a simple and hardworking person who was born in the 70s in Kaduna. I had my primary school education in Zaria, Secondary School education was in Sokoto while my tertiary education was in Minna.

 I have worked elsewhere before joining Kaduna Electric and I am grateful for where I am today.

CCD: Can we discuss your role in Admin and Security?

Ismail: Administration & Security cover a lot of aspects in our operations as a company. I am a   Head of Group in my department. I oversee Administration, Security, Facility Management, Environment Management, Rent Management, Protocols & Governmental Affairs, Logistics, Hospitality & Event Management units.

I supervise and make sure that every officer carries out their duties diligently and effectively. I also receive reports from team members and sometimes assist the Head of Department in carrying out some functions. I also have other roles or functions that often come up unexpectedly which I am required to execute.

CCD: This is the beginning of a new year; how would you rate yourself in terms of how much you have achieved in 2018?

Ismail:  We give gratitude to God that we have achieved about 65% of what we set out to do. A few of our successes are: Security cover and support in communities during the withdrawal of supply and disconnections to Distribution Sub Stations.

This has gone a long way in encouraging communities to pay for energy consumed. Also, we solicited support from the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State who was very supportive by providing us useful suggestions and guidance.

We successfully harmonized and deployed armed security personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (PMF) to all regional offices of Kaduna Electric. This was timely and has helped in reducing the threats received from youths and demonstrations to our offices especially at Barnawa and Makera Regional Offices.

It is also worthy of note to mention the successful arrest and prosecution of a notorious king-pin in Kafanchan Regional Office who specializes in vandalizing electrical installations. His arrest has reduced the activities of vandals within the region.

We have also had community engagements on education to protect our installations.

Kaduna Electric successfully commissioned a new metering laboratory for metering department, fully rehabilitated and refurbished at old Doka/Stores area which is in partial fulfilment of NERC regulations for the Meter Asset Provider MAP program.

To our credit also is the newly commissioned Malali service centre which has been fully equipped to standards with renovated training rooms and a soon-to-be installed Projector.

We hosted the 28^th Power Sector Stake holders meeting which was successful, we were part of the team that worked on the successful execution of the Strive Workshop.

CCD: How specifically would you say that your department is helping to block revenue leakage?

Ismail:  Specifically, we ensure the arrest and prosecution of power assets vandals who cause colossal damage to our network and impacting negatively on our revenue generation.

We also investigate and bring to book staff involved in fraudulent activities which also results in huge losses not only in revenue generation but also erode public confidence.

We also carrying out community engagements whereby our customers are enlightened about their responsibilities of paying for the energies consumed and also of taking ownership of electricity installations in their communities by protecting our equipment.

CCD: What do think the company can do to reduce the cases of electrocution?

Ismail:  Enlightenment, creating safe working conditions and monitor and discourage unsafe acts by staff and customers. We encourage them to report unsafe acts and analyze the results to prevent a recurrence.

CCD: How well is your department synergizing with the other units like Enforcement Team, Disconnection Unit and other units that drive the marketing activities of the Company?

Ismail:  We provide support in terms of security and we also follow up on reported cases of defaulting customers to initiate prosecution in the courts of law.  Like I earlier said, our Administration & Security Officers (ASOs) provide the required security cover for volatile areas and we give counsel on the appropriate times to carry out the disconnections to avoid being harassed or attacked on the field.

As you are aware, the company recently withdrew service from Distribution Sub-Stations in all its franchise states with poor revenue generation performance. This resulted in some form of resistance and in some cases, demonstrations in other areas. Our advice and spearheading   community engagements with all stakeholders and representatives of the affected communities have proven to be effective to the success of these operations.

CCD: Any appeal or suggestion to other staff and management?

Ismail:  To other staff, team work is the key word.  It is important to follow up on assigned task to ensure a logical conclusion.

As employees too, we should be proactive and report any act of vandalism or suspected movements around any of our installations to avoid vandalism.

To management, I will urge them to have faith in us; as we are ready to work and bring about the needed change.

 Thank you.