Jos Disco lament surge in daily vandalization of transformers

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The increased rate of vandalization of transformers by miscreants have become a cause for concern and highly alarming, according to Jos Electricity Distribution, JED Plc.

This was as the company gave it’s figures stating that atleast 50 transformers are vandalised in its coverage area on a daily basis.

JED’s Head, Customer Care Desk, Friday Akpopi made the claim in Jos on Wednesday, at the opening of a four-day forum organised by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

The JED official, while speaking at the event, decried how frustrating the activities of those criminals who vandalize the transformers make their job while stating that it was the duty of customers to protect their transformers.

Akpopi said, “More than 50 transformers are vandalised on a daily basis in our coverage area. The hoodlums usually return to vandalise transformers two weeks after we have effected repairs.

“One of the obligations of customers is to safeguard electrical installations in their domains. We are trying to talk to customers to monitor every transformer point in their communities.”

He added that as part of its statutory duties, JED was engaging communities in its coverage areas to foster robust community consultative forum in line with directives by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and that the action taken in collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders would curb the theft of transformers and meters.

Akpopi assured residents that the issue of power outages resulting from transformer vandalism would be addressed in no distant time adding that the company had already contacted meter vendors to ensure the speedy installation of meters in the premises of customers on the waiting list.

Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, in his remark, said the intervention was organised as a result of enormous complaints the commission had received on power-related issues.

Irukera who was represented by the Executive Commissioner Operations, Adamu Abdullahi, explained that FCCPC as the umbrella agency for consumer protection organised the forum to provide middle ground for all stakeholders and that all relevant agencies in the power sector would interact with customers with the view of resolving complaints received.

He maintained that unresolved complaints within the four-day period of intervention in Jos would be given time lines for resolution.

“We will give the complainants the number of days or weeks they should expect their complaints to be resolved,’’ he said.

He also assured that the intervention would be sustained as the commission was determined to ensure that the JED had virile customer care unit to address customers’ complaints.

On his part, the Assistant General Manager, Customer Service Standards at the NERC, Kaneng Gwom, urged customers to acquaint themselves with NERC’s regulations so as to be aware of their rights, adding that such knowledge would guide customers in taking appropriate actions.

FCCPC organised the forum with support of Mac Arthur Foundation, a development partner to address complaints of poor service made by JED customers.

It was organised to enable the FCCPC to discharge the function of its Electricity Complaint Resolution Platform established in 2021.