MEET THE STAFF SERIES

We Are Focused on Reducing ATC&C Losses- Zahradeen Yunus

CCD: Briefly tell us about yourself?

ZY: My name is Zahradeen Yunus, I was born in Kaduna State, I am an indigene of Kaduna South L.G.A of Kaduna State. I graduated from the department of economics from Kaduna State University in 2013. I did my compulsory one year NYSC assignment in Suleja, Niger State.

CCD: When did you joined the Company and what’s your primary assignment?

ZY:  I joined the service of the Company in 2019, The primary assignment of the Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Unit is to implement a monitoring framework to improve qualitative and quantitative evidence. 

CCD: Can you explain what you mean please?

ZY: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation is a Department charged to monitor and reduce ATC&C losses, this is mainly done by collecting data, monitoring activities relating to technical and collection efficiency.

CCD: What are your responsibilities and how do you manage your daily activities?

ZY: My responsibilities is to ensure due diligence in data collection as that is the only way the Company will reduce ATC&C losses. My daily activities involve always going for fieldwork to source for new information that will assist the enumeration process which is an essential form of updating customer’s information, meter locations and payment records.

 CCD: Do you think the enumeration excise is adding value to the Company?

ZY: Yes, the enumeration process so far gives a more up to date and comprehensive information since customers’ location changes from time to time, so it is always important to update their information using the enumeration process. Also in tracking PPMs, it is usually through the enumeration process that stolen, burnt, obsolete and bypassed meters are easily tracked, retrieved and booked as the case may be. It also enables us to apprehend perpetrators of energy theft and other electricity offences.

CCD: What skills do you use that helps you succeed in capturing new customers or apprehend perpetrators of energy theft?

ZY: Cases of bypassed has to be properly handled and in so doing, one must be very careful. At times, it is quite easy to detect external bypass. But in cases of internal bypass, it is always wise to employ the services expert in energy metering or some enforcement personnel to establish an internal bypass or to certify a meter.

CCD: What are your major challenges?

ZY: The major challenges we encounter is from difficult customers who are not forthcoming with information and refusal to pay penalty. Thankfully, with the coming of SIPTEO on board, we expect that things will go smoothly in the future.

CCD: Any appeal or suggestion to Staff or Management?

ZY: My suggestion to all is that we should always ensure that customers complaints are resolved with utmost urgency. This will greatly reduce the number of aggrieved customers and in turn improve the collection efficiency.