KADUNA ELECTRIC NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2ND EDITION

 Kaduna Electric, Zokoriko Community Agree on Modality for Supply Restoration

By Asma’u Mohammd

In a significant development, Kaduna Electric and Zokoriko community have reached a pivotal agreement, bringing hope to a region that had long been in darkness.

The agreement was reached during the engagement at Kaduna Electric Headquarters on Thursday, 19^th October, 2023.

The Managing Director of Kaduna Electric, Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya who was been represented by

the Chief Operation Officer, Mr. Ocholi I. Ausa called on the community to desist from harassing staff on lawful duty.

He described the attack on the Company’s staff four months ago by some irate youth in the Community as “unlawful”.

“It is noteworthy that Kaduna Electric shall spare no effort in bringing to justice all those involved in violence against staff, energy theft and vandalism of power infrastructure, he warned.”, he noted.

This stern statement underscored the company’s unwavering commitment to eradicating these unlawful acts. A clear warning was issued to anyone found to be colluding with, aiding, or abetting the perpetrators of such destructive deeds would face legal consequences.

The directive did not end with the Managing Director’s words; rather extended to community leaders, with a mandate to disseminate this message thoroughly among their communities. The message emphasized unity and cooperation as essential components of a brighter future.

The climax of this engagement was a significant agreement between Kaduna Electric and Zokoriko community, they mutually resolved that the community would pay 2.5 million naira for damages, a substantial reduction from the original demand of 3.8 million naira. This compromise exemplified the goodwill and determination of both parties to resolve the longstanding issues.

The Sarkin Kudenda Mr. Gabriel Bagudu Galadima expressed their deep appreciation to Kaduna Electric for their flexibility and the warm reception they received and expressed their readiness to work collaboratively with Kaduna Electric to a brighter future.

 

Sokoto Regional Chief Visits NSCDC Commandant, Calls For More Efforts in Curbing Vandalism.

By Umar Mohammed Tambuwal

Kaduna Electric Regional Chief, Sokoto zone, Mr Sunday O. Yahaya has called on the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Sokoto State Command to support the Company's effort in ensuring steady power supply in the state.

Mr. Yahaya made the appeal while on a courtesy/sensitization visit, alongside the Regional Management team to the Commandant, Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corp, Sokoto State Command, Bello Alkali Argungu.

The Regional Chief stated that, power is critical for national growth and the major challenges facing Kaduna Electric is vandalisation of the company's equipment and installations.

"The incessant cases of vandalism are affecting the quality and reliability of supply to the customers. The company is losing 100 of millions as a result of vandalization.

"While I appeal for the assistance of your office in safeguarding the company's equipment and installations, let me further solicit for the cooperation of Sokoto State NSCDC Command, other security agencies and stakeholders to curtail the menace.

"Another challenge facing the company is poor returns on investment as a result of nonpayment of electricity bills by some customers, the company is owing billions of naira as a result of nonpayment of electricity bills which made it difficult for the company to meet market obligation. 

"With the situation of the company low return in investment, Kaduna Electric is no longer in the hand of investors.  Kaduna electric is now own and manage by Fidelity Bank," he disclosed. 

While responding, The Commandant, Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps, Sokoto state command, Bello Alkali Argungu, stated that the visit has enlightened them more about the company operations even though, I understood and have knowledge of what is happening and the challenges faced by the electricity industry. 

The NSCDC boss promised to provide security to Kaduna electric installation to enable effective service delivery in the state.

He reiterated that it is the responsibility of his office to protect critical infrastructure asset and properties of the entire citizenry of the state and the survival of Kaduna Electric as business entity.

Commandant Argungu however, assured the company of maximum support and cooperation.

Sokoto Zone Holds Month End Performance Review for September 2023 in Sokoto

 By Umar Mohammed Tambuwal

The Chief Regional Officer Sokoto zone Mr. Sunday O. Yahaya and his management team held monthly performance review recently in Sokoto. 

In his remark Mr. Yahaya, at the meeting that lasted ten hours stated that the aim of the review is to look at the performance for month of September profit and loss and on the other hand to restrategize for the forthcoming months.

He charged his management team to embrace attitudinal change aimed at moving the company to greater heights as knowledge, hard and attitude all contribute to greater result.

"There are still rooms for improvement even though, we are not expecting 100% from you but attitudinal change towards works from all staff, commitment and determination can add more value to overall success of the zone and the company at large.”

"Effective from this month of October, there is going to be two months KPIs for all the Area managers to see their performance and action should be taken on those who failed to perform. Area Managers must change their staff attitude to work”

"The company is more concerned about collection efficiency. We must all work hard to ensure the performance of Sokoto Zone is improving,” he said.

Presentation of the profit and loss P/L of the entire zone comprises of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara was made by Mr. Yakubu Bangu the Regional Finance Manager Sokoto Regional Office.

The presentation contained the summary details of all the area offices of the zone, the total energy received, revenue collected against the energy received, payment of Market Operators (MOs) payment of staff salary, payment of Nigerian Electricity Bulk Trading Company (NBET) amongst other.

The presentation also equipped the Area Managers to have more insight of what their expected to know and as well, their performance.

The Chief Regional however, commended the Zonal Finance Manager for the presentation and urged all the Area Managers to do more and improve the revenue collection of the zone and wish them safe journey back to their respective destinations.

MEET THE STAFF SERIES

 My Focus Shall Always be to Improve Customers Population….Nuhu L. Abubakar

CCD: Can you briefly share with us your background- schools attended and academic qualifications obtained as well as your previous working experience?

NLA: My name is Nuhu L. Abubakar, I was born and brought up at Saminaka, I had my early education there and then proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) where I studied Political science and I also have a Masters Degree in Conflict/Peace Management and Strategic Studies from Kaduna State University.

CCD:  What is it to be Supervising a Service Centre, can you share it with us?

NLA: To be a Service Centre Manager is not easy because I passed through a series of exams, interview and others; thank God, I am now on the seat, all this depend on hard work and dedication to the work because people are watching all what we are doing and they are the ones that will recommend you for higher responsibility.

CCD: So what do you consider as the most challenging part of supervising people and managing customers?

NLA:  I have been a Service Centre Manager for almost 6 years now, from Dankande, Isa Kaita, Urban Shelter, NACB and now Dawaki, I managed different set of people with different mind set. To be a successful Manager, one need to be calm and focus and work together as a team for you to achieve the set goals. At the Customers side, I managed customers from privilege and less privilege area with different mentality.

CCD: What is your total Customers population and classification in Dawaki?

NLA:  I have 3,711 customers that comprises 550 post paid and 3,161 Pre paid. We classified customers based on their DTs ( Transformer s), we have green and red DTs. You can easily get your amount billed and even do debt recovery from   these customers while in the red DTs you hardly get your amount billed from them, sometimes you have to disconnect and disconnect before they pay you.

CCD: How do you ensure fairness among your workers?

NLA:  I am open minded person, I welcome any meaningful idea from my staff on how to move the Company forward in terms of collection.

CCD: What do you consider as your major achievement since you assume duty in the Service Center?

NLA: All the service centers managed, I make sure I improved their collection  even beat their best month collection and increased the customers population.

CCD: What are your suggestion to the management and staff?

NLA: Management should provide all the enablers needed by the Service Centers that would help them improve their collection and staff security most be guaranteed.
 

 

KADUNA ELECTRIC NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 1ST EDITION

Vandals Bag Seven years Each for Vandalising of Power Supply Infrastructure 

By Asma'u Mohammed

The Chief Magistrate Court 2 in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, has convicted 2 vandals of power supply equipment and sentenced them to 7years imprisonment each.

The convicts, Hashimu Umar and Lawali Abubakar where handed the sentences after been charged and found guilty on two count charges of criminal conspiracy and vandalism of electrical infrastructure contrary to section 60 and 298 of Kebbi State Penal Code.

According to Police First Information Report, Hashimu Umar and Lawali Abubakar were apprehended on 28 August, 2023 while vandalising Unguwan Malamai Relief Distribution Transformer, property of Kaduna Electric, in Bunguji Area in Argungu Local Government of Kebbi State.

While delivering judgement, the Chief Magistrate sentenced Hashimu Umar and Lawali Abubakar to 1year imprisonment each with an option of 50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only) fine for criminal conspiracy and 3years imprisonment with an option of 100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine each for vandalising electricity infrastructure.

In addition to their sentences, the court ordered the convicts to jointly pay a sum of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) to Kaduna Electric as compensation for the damages caused or to serve an extended three (3) years jail term in of payment compensation.

The chief Magistrate Court further imposed N20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira Only) cost of investigation on the convicts.

Commenting on the issue, the Head Corporate Communications of Kaduna Electric, Abdulazeez Abdullahi applauded the courage of the Chief Magistrate, describing it as “highly patriotic.”

“We strongly believe that the judgement will serve as a deterrent to those who may be nursing the intention of vandalizing power supply infrastructure; we commend the patriotic disposition of the Chief Magistrate,” he said.

Sokoto State Government Pledges Partnership with Kaduna Electric for Better Electricity Services in the State 

By Mohammed Tambuwal

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Sokoto State on Rural Electrification, Engineer Mustapha Mohammed Kofar Marke has called for increased collaboration between Kaduna Electric and State Government for better electricity services in the State.

Engr. Mustapha Mohammed made the assertion during a courtesy visit to the Chief Regional Officer, Sokoto Regional Office recently, where he called for stronger partnership between the Sokoto State Government and Kaduna Electric aimed at strengthening the existing cordial relationship between the two bodies.

According to him, “I know Kaduna Electric very well and the challenge’s facing the Company, therefore the agency under my watch will work hand in hand with Kaduna electric to achieve desire goal” he said.

Furthermore, the Special Adviser expressed the readiness of the Sokoto State Rural Electrification Board to collaborate with Kaduna Electric, particularly in safeguarding power supply infrastructure and raising community awareness about electrification initiatives.

In response, Mr. Sunday O Yahaya, the Chief Regional Officer of Sokoto Zone, represented by Technical Assistance Engineer Umar Sani Argungu, congratulated Engineer Mustapha Mohammed on his well-deserved appointment as Special Adviser for Rural Electrification to the Governor of Sokoto State. He commended the visit and assured the Special Adviser of maximum support and cooperation from Kaduna Electric.

Engr. Umar Sani also urged the Special Adviser to leverage his position and state resources to promote awareness among the populace regarding the importance of settling electricity bills promptly to enable the company serve the good people of Sokoto State better.

Engineer Tijjani Aliyu, the Regional Manager of the Sokoto Regional Office, admonished the need for strict adherence to established procedures, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines by both Kaduna Electric and the Rural Electrification Board. He assured the Special Adviser of his full support and cooperation in their shared efforts for smooth and effective operations.