The Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) said it has provided free meters to 12,000 customers in the Rantya community of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau.
The Managing Director of JED, Mr Abdul Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement by Dr. Adakole Elijah, Head, Corporate Communications of the company, recently in Jos.
Mohammed stated this at the launch of its Investor Financing Metering and Point of Sale (POS) Terminals at Rantya.
The managing director said the company had commenced the process of metering all its customers, adding that the move would put an end to estimated billings.
”Metering is the only credible implementation of energy measurement and this is why we procured over 12,000 prepaid meters to be installed for customers in Rantya.
“All the houses in this community will be metered end-to-end. There will be no exception. It is important to note that we chose the Rantya community to commence this exercise, and that is why we have procured meters in large quantities to cater for the entire feeder in the area.
”Everybody on the feeder shall be metered free of charge,” he said.
Mohammed, who said that the company was poised to provide excellent services to its customers, warned residents to desist from energy theft.
“I have instructed my colleagues to ensure that supply is steadily and reliably available. We also want to implore you to ensure that you do not bypass these meters, we plead with you to protect this entire venture so that we can re-invest to ensure energy availability.
”A single-phase meter costs over N80,000 while a three-phase meter costs over N140,000, but we are giving you these meters free of charge.
“Please take ownership of these meters; Report all faults officially to JED and don’t allow third-party electricians to tamper with the meters,” he said.
Mohammed said the company had engaged the services of the Special Investigation and Prosecution Taskforce on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO), established by the federal government.