Friday, 20 September 2024

KADUNA ELECTRIC NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 1ST EDITION

"We are Committed to Improve Service Delivery" _AM Millennium City Assures Customers.

By Jamila Bala

The Area Manager, Millennium City Area Office in Kaduna, Mr. Aminu Bakori, has reiterated the commitment of the Area Office in particular and the Company in general to improved service delivery and timely response to customers' complaints.

Mr. Bakori made the assertion last week during the routine Customers' engagement session hosted by the Millennium City Area Office.

He called on customers of the Company in the Millennium City Area Office to reciprocate the renewed commitment of the Company by discharging their obligations as at when due.

According to Mr Bakori "the bilateral trade regulation recently introduced into the Nigerian Electricity Supply Market by the Regulator has made it imperative for both the Company and its customers to work together as partners and Stakeholders".

"If we want an improved and sustainable electricity services, we must be ready to pay our obligation to the market", he said. 

He expressed the Company's appreciation for the high turnout of customers at the session, assuring all that the Company value its customers feedback. 

In his contribution, the Customers' Engagement Manager, Mr. Sunday Yahaya emphasised the importance of energy management, urging electricity users to always switch off electrical appliances when leaving their houses or when not needed. 

Also, the HoU, Customers Service, Mrs. Fumilayo King took the session through the approved customers grievance redress mechanism where she enlightened the house on the Rights and Obligations of the customers in current dispensation.

High points of the engagement session were a presentation of the three months commercial performance of the Area Office where the urgent need for improvement in payment of electricity bills was further stressed as well as questions and answers session.


Revenue Protection Unit Is Making Significant Progress

By Asma’u Mohammed

Kaduna Electric's Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) has made considerable strides in enhancing revenue recovery and boosting revenue generation, despite facing some operational challenges.

The Head of Unit, Ibrahim Jada, disclosed that as part of their efforts to improve billing accuracy, the Unit has identified and deactivated 71 obsolete and internally tampered meters. This step ensures that the affected customers will have to obtain new meters, enabling more accurate energy consumption measurements.

According to him, legal action will be taken against repeat offenders, and aggressive follow-up efforts on defaulters are planned. Monitoring will be intensified, particularly on Band A feeders, while Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) reports will be leveraged to strategically monitor Maximum Demand customers.

He said the MD Loss Reduction team is also planning a night and weekend raids focused on high-revenue customers and Band A feeders. In addition, there are plans for internal redeployment of RPU staff to address skills gaps. 

Kaduna Electric remains committed to overcoming these challenges and improving both service delivery and revenue generation in the months ahead

 

Non-Settlement of Bills Identified as a Major Setback in Attaining Service Efficiency

By Muhammad Abba

The Zamfara Regional Manager, Malam Gadaffi Ibrahim Saminaka, warned that non-payment of electricity bills could lead to increased costs for other users, potential blackouts, brownouts, and even destabilize the entire power grid, causing widespread disruptions.

Mal. Ibrahim made the assertion last week during a customers engagement session. The session, organized by the company, aimed to build, nurture, and manage customer relationships through consistent and meaningful interactions.

Malam Saminaka emphasized the importance of such engagements as a foundation for establishing lasting connections with customers.

He encouraged customers to remain diligent in paying their electricity bills to avoid service disruptions and ensure the stability of power supply across the region.

“Zamfara Region experiences a monthly loss of over 1 billion naira due to customers failing to settle their electricity bills. This lack of bill recovery is reflected in poor collection efficiency, which impacts effective service delivery in the state,” he added.

The Regional Manager further stated that in order to ensure business success, customers must recognize their obligation to pay for electricity as a fundamental aspect of achieving organizational objectives and enabling the delivery of collective services for mutual benefit.

He continued, “Addressing electricity theft, a major contributor to the power supply crisis and its negative impacts on the value chain, is crucial in reducing revenue losses and debt accumulation within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), which in turn affects the nation's economy. Engaging in unlawful disconnection, removal, damage, tampering, or interference with the electricity supply is unlawful and detrimental.”

The Secretary of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Gusau, Mr. Aminu Dauda, clarified that the electricity Bands plan is a service-reflective tariff structure mandated by the NERC.

“This new tariff system is designed to ensure that individuals in Nigeria are billed for electricity according to the quality and duration of the electricity they receive. Consequently, there will be modifications in the electricity terms, services, and charges for consumers based on the quality and duration of electricity received. Understanding what a Tariff Band is and its significance is crucial. Your tariff band categorizes the number of hours of electricity you receive per day, providing valuable information to your distribution company. Knowing your tariff band helps you comprehend your monthly electricity consumption and what to anticipate in terms of daily electricity supply. Additionally, enhancing customer engagement is emphasized as a means to further improve the electricity services provided,” he concluded.

 

Sokoto Regional Office Hosts 3rd Quarter Customer Consultative/Engagement Forum

By Muhammad Umar Tambuwal

The Sokoto Regional Office of Kaduna Electric has organized Customer Consultative/Engagement Forum, bringing customers and company together to share knowledge about the company's operations processes.

The Forum provided a platform for customers to share their experiences, ask questions, and receive updates on company initiatives.

The event was attended by Ma'awuya Madawaki the Sokoto Forum Secretary, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commissio, (NERC) with participants expressing appreciation for the open and interactive session. 

Speaking at the occasion, the Regional Manager Sokoto Regional Office, Zanna Ahmed Ashimi, represented by Area Manager, Sokoto South Area Office, Malam Habu Adamu Dawi, explained process of new service and process of acquiring meter and energy management. 

He however highlighted the importance of Energy Management, following due process in handling Electricity and also advises customers against involving unauthorized persons in connection or reconnection of power.

Mr Ashimi, noted the relevance of the Community to protect all power equipment’s placed in their community and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency.

"Vandalism is not only impeding the company efforts at ensuring steady power supply but are also placing additional and unnecessary burdens to customers. Please, expose the perpetrators," he admonished.

Key topics addressed included process of New service and Meter Acquisition, Electricity theft, Energy management and consequences

The Area Manager Sokoto Central, Mr Mansur Adamu in his remarks called on customer to always come to office for inquiries in regards to company operations and follow due process and also urge the customers to pay their bills as at when due, to enable the company to meet its expectations and serve its customers better.

The Regional Manager, Mr Zanna appreciated the Customers for honoring invitation and assured the customers that Kaduna Electric is committed to serve its esteemed customers better and attend to their complaints promptly.

Mr Zanna advised customers to read the New Service Form carefully before signing and taking ownership of the business between Kaduna Electric and its customers and urged them to be the company ambassadors as, problems cannot be solved without involving the customers.



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