Kaduna Electric, Kano Disco Team-up to Stem Financial Malfeasance.
By Ruqayya Hamisu
The Kaduna Electric and Kano Disco’s
Audit teams have pledged to collaborate with one another to build and
strengthen the Capacity of the two audit teams for greater productivity and efficiency.
The assertion was made during a 3-day
knowledge sharing and interactive session between the officials of the audit
Units of the two Companies held at the Corporate Head Quarters of Kaduna
Electric two weeks ago.
The program which was co-chaired by
Jamilu Salisu Ahmed, Head, Audit Unit, Kano Electricity Distribution Company
and Alhaji Abubakar Diggi, Head, Audit Unit, Kaduna Electric, with the theme “ the Road so far”.
“The collaborative effort was
aimed at helping each other to tackle leakages that both Companies are facing”,
it was further stated.
Mr Salisu shared operational,
financial and investigative tips with the audit teams from the two companies. He
said “auditors have to identify weakness in the control system and be able to
strengthen them. The Audit Unit should be fully in charge of all records of
transaction, audit planning, execution, and follow up are the procedures for
effective auditing”.
While the Kaduna Electric Head of Audit,
Alhaji Abubakar Diggi shared operational, financial and fraud related
activities with the two teams.
Mr Abubakar said ‘’the first motive
is how to help in minimizing fraudulent activities particularly in the
Commercial Department. He advised that auditors must always make sure that all
transaction are well documented and backed with relevant approvals and
authorization for control purpose. Cash collections and Bank verification must
be done monthly to ensure all revenue collected are remitted accordingly”.
He disclosed that each Area Office
is attached to a particular auditor and the auditors are rotated every 2-3
months to another Area Office, The unit also vets all customers account adjustment
documents before recommending any adjustment. He advised the audit teams to
imbibe the culture of going out to conduct sample checks at different feeders as
it has really helped in detecting malpractices.
Other issues discussed by both
parties were: zero tolerance to Nepa two
who are mostly under sales representatives and suggested that when such cases
are found, the sales reps should be replaced by the Nepa two, that will stop
staff from employing them. Another suggestion made the auditors is whistle blow
among staff and non-staff, and should be followed up. That will really help in
discovering a lot of fraud activities in the companies.
Kaduna Electric Takes Safety Campaign
to Communities
By Asma’u Muhammad
In an effort to avert the occurrence of electrical accidents within its
operational area, the Management of Kaduna Electric has taken safety awareness
Campaign to rural communities.
The first lap of the safety campaign train, led by the Area Manager,
Doka Area Office, Ibrahim Danbatta was at Kwanan Farakwai in Igabi LGA of
Kaduna last week where lectures, live demonstrations, questions and answers and
other educative and enlightenment activities took place.
Addressing the community, the Area Manager, Doka Area Office, Ibrahim
Dantbatta charged community leaders and other leaders of thought to always
report unusual scenario, accidents or damaged to power supply equipment to the
nearest Kaduna Electric Office for necessary and timely repairs to avert
accident.
He noted that power supply installations like poles, high voltage, over
lead lines and conductors could suffer damages as a result of man-made or
natural phenomenon like heavy rain or wind storm and only the timely
intervention of trained personnel of Company would avert the occurrence of
accident.
He warned that high voltage power lines are very dangerous when they
come to contact with human beings, animals and plants and should be aoided as
much as possible.
He appealed to communities to report cases of conductors lying on the
ground and should never assume that such conductors are ‘dead’.
Malam Ibrahim also called on the community to always maintain the
statutory right of way and avoid erecting structures, trading or sitting under
power lines so as to prevent the occurrence of any unfortunate incidences.
The climax of the sensitization exercise was a presentation
on safety by the HSE Officer, Mustapha Aliyu where he explained safety rules and how
to rescue an electrocuted victim. The team also took time off to visit and
commiserate with a victim of electrical accident in the community.
AM Makera Charges Communities on Bills Payments
By Ruqayya Hamisu
The Area Manager, Makera Area
Office, Engr. Umar Farouk has called on Unguwan Romi, Kakuri GRA and Gwagwada
communities to ensure regular and timely settlement of their bills for better
services, just as he advocated energy conservation culture among the
communities.
Engr. Farouk made the assertion during community and stakeholders engagement and sensitization program held in
the three communities recently.
‘’The efficiency of the Company is
directly tied to the response of the customers towards payments of bills”, he
said.
The Area Manager also called on the
communities to embrace the forth-coming Meter Asset Provider scheme (MAP) so as
to have their premises metered.
According to him, “the Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved the implementation of MAP scheme
and very soon the Company shall commence meter roll-out through the MAP scheme;
I hereby enjoin you to embrace the scheme so as to put rest, the controversy
surrounding estimated billing”.
A community leader from Hayin
Katafawa, Sarki Danladi applauded the Company for initiating the engagement
with the customers and suggest that such meetings should be made a regular
event. Cross section of customers from the communities asked questions and
sought clarification on issues not clear.
