By Patrick Osu
A gold fish has no hiding place and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) now Distribution Company (DISCO), Kaduna has demonstrated this with ease. Before now all the public ever gets to know about PHCN is its notoriety for power failure. When former National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) aka Never Expect Power Always took on the new name of PHCN, some very uncharitable people derisivelysaid problem has changed name.
As Nigerians battle heat and discomfort all night, and report to work the next day exhausted and drained of strength, and probably nursing a headache no doubt, this would adversely affect their output. The strongest indicator of strength in a man is the ability to surmount challenges and this in its most challenging form in the daily routine of Kaduna DISCO, headed by a man of uncommon caliber and as the rising tide of President Goodluck Jonathan transformation agenda and making the power sector a cornerstone of Jonathan’s transformation agenda.
The story of Alhaji Idris Danlami Mohammed cannot be told without some standing ovation at the end, for a man that epitomises excellence and administrative competence. Indeed,Kaduna DISCO is blessed at this time with a rare asset, through experience and determination he has brought the organization to a dawn of a new era.
Born in 1958 in Taraba state, Mohammed’s life is an interesting tale of grass to grace success spurned by determination, patience and hardwork. He began his early education at All Saint Primary School, Zaria, from where he proceeded to Government Secondary School, Zaria. He later obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bayero University, Kano from where he took up his first appointment as an administrative staff with the Federal Ministry of Health and later United Bank for Africa (UBA).
In 1991, Mohammed got a master’s degree in banking and finance from the prestigious Instituto Giodano Della More (Finafrica Institute Millan, Italy). Mohammed holds ardent belief in human capital development through transparency and accountability. Since taking over the mantle of leadership of Kaduna DISCO, power supply has been a success story. In fact, the rising hopes in the area of stable power supply in Kaduna today is largely defined by Alhaji Mohammed’s values. The kind of clear cut and life changing decision he has been making since taking over in Kaduna is only possible with one who knows what his value are. His tenacity accentuates his knowledge of the primacy of steady power supply in the affairs of humanity.
The deployment of his personal character into the power business is a practical statement for affirmative action. Even so, his commitment underscores President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, not to mention his discipline which provides both inspiration and pride to his colleagues and subordinate thereby making hima leader to be admired beyond all reason.
Alhaji Mohammed is a good listener and effective team leader who believes that every opinion count in arriving at the final decision that would impact the lives of the people. He is a man who leads with a fear of the verdict of the court of his conscience. With this understanding, it becomes easy for anyone to fathom the essential roles of his character, commitment and discipline in the story of the steady growth, sustained peace and happiness in the power sector in the North-west states. Mohammed is a man who believes that there is a real opportunity for the revenue of Kaduna DISCO to grow and is set to use his experience as a seasoned banker to mobilize for the real commitment to steady power supply in the North-west geo-political zone.
Today, Mohammed remains committed to core investor participation in the company with increased revenue from N850 million to N960 million. His success story in power distribution is a scenario of success attained when opportunity meets with preparedness. Without doubt, he is a square peg in a square hole. His steady administrative experience began when he left banking for the power sector. The growing and evolving spirit of independence, professionalism, objectivity and efficiency Kaduna DISCO today stand as testament to the ingenuity and integrity of Alhaji Mohammed.
In keeping to the commitment to the goals of the uninterrupted power supply, Mohammed deplored the provision of enabling environment, requisite skills and knowledge and global best practices to the sector.For instance, there is a replacement of 15MVA transformer at 7.5 15 MVA in Kaduna district office.There is also the operation of 2.5 MVA to 7.5MVA at Kongo Conference in Tudun Wada, Zaria with the replacement of a burnt down 7.5 capacity transformer at the Zaria Transmission Centre.
Since his appointment in 2012, much work has already been done and institutional framework set in place to reposition the company with the replacement of 15MVA transformer in Sokoto and the plan to rehabilitate a line in Kebbi state. With all that in place, some area now enjoy 24 hours power supply.
Today power supply in Kaduna is 138 megawatts, the highest in the history of power supply in Kaduna metropolis. Power supply in Zamfara state has been increased from 5 megawatts to 18 megawatts. Mohammed is introducing a lot of products that delight customers. For the first time, a scratch card is being introduced to recharge your prepayment meter. You can also recharge on line. All these are testament to Mohammed’s desirable leadership quality.
His achievements are legion including steady power supply to increased revenue. Revenue grew progressively in all where he had worked with particular reference to the days he was AGM Finance and Administration, Head of Finance in Abuja, Head of Finance and Accounts in Jos, and subsequently AGM Finance and Administration in Kaduna from where his competence was identified and appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company. Mohammed’s working life is enveloped in sincerity and integrity.
He is characteristically proving himself a reckonable presence and delivering true to type results in ensuring that there is steady power supply in the North-west states.
During its oversight function, chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, could not hide his feelings, saying he was highly impressed about the impressive cash collection performance of the company which grew remarkably from N500 million to overN1.1billon.
Osu wrote from Kaduna
