Severe punishment awaits bypassers of prepaid meters, KEDCO warns customers

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has fired stern warning to bypassers of prepaid meters across its franchise areas of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
The warning was fired at the flag off of the distribution of 87,747 meters across the KEDCO’s franchise area, under the National Mass Metering Scheme (NMMS), a Federal Government intervention programme of providing meters to customers at no cost.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony, held in Kano on Friday, Chief Customer Relations Officer (CCRO) of the company, Abubakar Yusuf said the firm would not condone any act of bypassing or tempering with the meters.
According to him, the federal government had set aside punishment against vandalizing and tempering with National Critical Assets, which includes infrastructures of power companies in the country.
He added that “anybody found tempering with these meters would face the wrath of the law. KEDCO will not condone any act of vandalism and bypass on its installations. Anybody found wanting, would be prosecuted.”
Yusuf also stated that KEDCO had received its share out 6 million meters to be distributed nationwide, explaining that the company would start distribution at zero phase, beginning with 87,747 and would continue in phases until the federal government stop the intervention.
He noted that the idea behind the free installation of the prepaid meters is to check the problem of estimated billing, disclosing that about 1 million customers across Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states would be metered.
“We will provide effective arrangements for the distribution. We will ensure that 1 million customers have gotten the meter across the franchise area.
“ I therefore enjoined our esteemed customers to make proper use of these meters. I also warn again that anybody found bypassing the meters would be punished,” he said.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the company, Dr Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, who was represented by the Chief Operation Officer, Mr Vijaykumar Sonawane said with the free distribution of the meters, customers would no longer receive estimated bill.
“With the distribution of the meters, customers will no longer receive estimated bill as in the case before now.
“ I therefore thank everybody for cooperation and assure our esteemed customers of our commitment to always satisfy them,” he said.