Jos DisCo Begins Installation Of Free Prepaid Meters For Band A Customers

The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) has commenced installing 109,251 free prepaid meters under its Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) for Band A feeder customers.

The disclosure was made yesterday in Bauchi during the Quarterly Customer Consultative Forum, a platform for direct engagement with electricity consumers.

Dr Auwal Anwar, head of metering at JEDC, explained that the new digital meters were designed to withstand all climatic conditions and were highly reliable.

“These meters are advanced, reliable and you do not need to pay a kobo to anyone,” he said.

Anwar clarified that the scheme targets only existing unmetered customers and faulty meters on Band A feeders, excluding new connections.

Hafiz Saleh Hassan, Bauchi State operating officer of JEDC, commended the customers for their patience and loyalty despite intermittent power supply.

He urged them to continue supporting JEDC, emphasising that the company and its customers were “partners in progress.”

During the forum, several critical issues were raised by customers.

Mr Hassan Ibrahim, chairman of the Customer Consultative Forum, highlighted transformer breakdowns, low-voltage supply in many communities and billing irregularities as problems they face.

“Some consumers are still billed between N10,000 and N20,000 after paying their monthly charges. The JEDC has promised to address these issues and ensure better service delivery,” he said.

Pastor Daniel Numshi Balewa, a customer, noted that repeated JEDC promises to provide meters had not been fulfilled, leaving the residents with poor electricity supply and high bills.

“We will only be convinced when we begin to see tangible changes,” he stressed.

Another customer, Aliko Mohammed Azare, raised concerns about JPLC’s role in transformer maintenance. He explained that faulty transformers often leave communities responsible for funding repairs.

“It is JPLC’s responsibility to fix or replace transformers to prevent overloading, but this duty is not being adequately fulfilled,” he said.

The forum provided JEDC with an opportunity to address the customers’ concerns and outline its plans for improved service delivery.

The officials assured that minor repairs would be carried out promptly to restore electricity supply and strengthen the relationship between the company and its customers.