Kaduna Electric to strengthen services despite N2 bn monthly revenue loss – MD

Kaduna Electric, the electricity distribution company servicing Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, says it is recording a monthly revenue shortfall of over N2 billion since it started operation.

Garba Haruna, managing director of the company said in a message to the consumer consultative forum organised by the power firm in Kaduna.

Represented by the head of Strategy and Planning, Mahmoud Suleiman, the managing director disclosed that the company generates around N1.2 billion monthly as against initial projection of over N3.2 billion.

Haruna, however, said that in spite of the shortfall, the company would continue to take appropriate measures to enhance power supply to the four states.

He said the forum was organised to intimate consumers of the challenges the company face in the course of distributing electricity, and urged them to support the company by paying their electricity bills promptly.

According to him, the electricity industry is constrained by the activities of vandals in the Niger Delta region, who destroy gas pipelines, and the reluctance of consumers to settle their electricity bills.

The managing director stressed that the development had slowed down generation and distribution of electricity nationwide.

Haruna, however, said that generation is picking up of recent, and assured that the company remains committed to improving its services.

According to him, efforts are on in the four states to tap other sources of power generation including solar, Hydro and wind energy, to enhance distribution of electricity to consumers.

The managing director thanked participants for attending the session and assured that the firm will deliver better services to its customers soon.

Meanwhile, the Chief Compliance and Regulatory Officer of Kaduna Electric, Lawal Y. Lawal, highlighted other challenges faced by the company to include delay in payment of tariff, assault on staff, and huge debt from government agencies.

He noted that although the company envisaged to service 16 million people and 2. 2 million households in the four states, it currently has only 380,000 registered customers.

Also the Team leader, Customer Service Unit of the firm, Sunday Yahaya, said 30 per cent of electricity allotted the company is lost in transit before getting to consumers due to technical challenges. (NAN)