The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) has engaged with its consumers over the low supply of electricity, outrageous and estimated billings, low voltage, amongst other issues.

During a stakeholder meeting held in Bauchi on Wednesday, most of the electricity consumers lamented poor supply, outrageous billing and faulty transformers.

One of the participants, Ugochukwu John Okonkwo, a resident of Rafin Surfi, Bauchi complained of loadshedding and high billing. “Our major issue is loadshedding. This is happening because of the capacity of our transformer which has been overloaded and at the same time serving parts of neighbouring communities.

“On loadshedding, there is insincerity in the billing, since we are under the loadshedding arrangement, it is expected that one gets a reduced bill because of shortage in supply but no, we are being charged as though we are consuming light for 30 days a month.”

According to him, it is on their billing slip that the area is on Band B but the community only gets a maximum of three hours light. “Where we are supposed to get at least 12hours light per day.”

The Chairman, Electricity Consumers Council, Bauchi State, Hassan Ibrahim, explained that the consumers have tabled issues around supply, billings and repairs of electric equipment while the Company has pledge to fix the issues raised to improve its services.

“Some of our members raised issues of extra charges after payment of energy charges. Some of them complained that about N10,000 or N20,000 is being charged apart from their bills. They’ve pledged to look into these,” he said.

While speaking, the head of metering at JED, Dr Auwal Anwar explained that JED has commenced installation of 109,251 free prepaid meters under its Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) for Band A feeder customers. The new digital meters, according to him, 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.”