Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
The Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Company has said that only consumers who clear their outstanding bills can enjoy the facility.
The JED company had sometimes in 2015, during a stakeholders’ meeting at Sindaba Hotel in Bauchi assured consumers of free pre-paid meters.
JED Public Relation Officer, Lubabatu Rabi’u at a Customer Consultative Forum organised by the company, which held in Bauchi said: “Only customers who are willing to settle their outstanding bills would enjoy the privilege.”
Hajiya Lubabatu Rabi’u therefore advised customers of the company to clear their bills and request for free meters to avoid estimated billing.
She commended customers of the company in the state for their mutual understanding and support, and urged them not to relent in paying their electricity bills as and when due.
The PRO however warned that the company will not tolerate what she described as energy theft by some unpatriotic citizens who connect to its services illegally from unlawful sources.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Billing Officer of the company, Mr. John Zi warned the customers to avoid direct connection or tempering with power lines without the consent of the company.
Zi, who expressed concern about how some people connect power illegally, said the company has now developed new techniques which enables it to detect any unlawful connection.
He called on customers not to pay their electricity bills to individual staff of the company, urging them to settle their bills in the approved designated channels which include Banks and JED offices.
Most of the participants at the forum, complained of overestimated billing when the company’s services are epileptic.
Responding to some of the complaints, the Bauchi Business Manager of the company, Alhaji Aminu Muhammad promised to look into their complaints. He however decried a situation whereby customers of the company donate money to buy electricity gadgets, which enables them to overpower the company in its operation in affected area.
