The Jos Electricity Distribution Plc has stated that financial constraints are preventing it from fully issuing meters to customers under its franchise.
However, JED stated that customers are free to purchase electricity meters from accredited vendors, promising to make refunds soon.
This was announced during a three-day town hall meeting on the rights, obligations, and complaints of electricity consumers, organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), held in Bauchi on Thursday.
The Acting Managing Director of JED, Mamman Umar, explained that the company aimed to create awareness, sensitise and resolve electricity-related issues.
“JED began mass metering in 2021, but the initiative has proven to be capital-intensive. It’s part of our commitment to meter all our customers, but certainly we cannot do this at once. We have a partnership with some vendors where those customers who cannot wait for our free meters can purchase them, and we will refund them as time goes on,” Umar explained.
He further explained that electricity tariff remains uniform across all distribution companies, including the implementation of the band system.
He added that the metering programme is aimed at resolving the challenges associated with estimated billing, saying that the high financial costs involved have hindered the widespread rollout of the initiative.
Umar also urged customers to report any misconduct by staff to help prevent the exploitation of consumers.
According to NERC, JED has installed electricity meters for 233,481 customers, representing just 27 per cent of its customer base. The number of unmetered customers stood at 859,323, accounting for 73 per cent.
JED’s Operations Officer in Bauchi State, Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim, attributed the recent complaints to weather-related issues. “Most of the complaints have been due to heavy rainfall, which led to the collapse of poles and electric wires.
“Repairing this infrastructure requires cranes and other equipment, which come at a significant cost,” he said.
Ibrahim confirmed that as of Wednesday, June 26, 2025, a total of 30 electricity poles had collapsed in Bauchi, Ningi, and Dass Local Government Areas due to torrential rain.
Also speaking, Alhaji Lawal Babama’aji, a representative of the Bauchi Emirate Council, stressed the importance of engaging community leaders in customer-service mobilisation efforts. He urged both service providers and regulatory agencies to ensure prompt resolution of consumer complaints.
Babama’aji also noted that inadequate power supply severely impacts small-scale businesses, disrupting production activities and overall economic performance.
He encouraged consumers to pay their bills promptly and adhere to electricity usage guidelines to support improved service delivery.
