The Emir of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, Alhaji Zubairu Jibrin Mai Gwari has expressed concern over the report that electricity users in Birnin Gwari Emirate are paying less than 30% of the cost of energy supplied to them and called on all electricity in his domain to ensure that they pay their bills as at when due to enable the service provider sustain the service.
The Emir made the remark today in Kaduna when he received the Managing Director of Kaduna Electric, Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya who paid him a courtesy visit.
Alhaji Zubair Jibrin Mai Gwari pledged the resolve of the Birnin Gwari Emirate Council to work with the Electricity Distribution Company to address the issues and ensure mutual beneficial relationship between Kaduna Electric and its customers in Birnin Gwari.
The Emir further appealed to the Managing Director to ensure more transparency and accountability among the Company’s staff in Birnin Gwari, stressing that the cycle of conspiracy between some electricity users and staff of the Company must be broken to ensure that every kobo belonging to the Company must be accounted for.
Alhaji Zubairu Jibrin Mai Gwari also called on the Management to ensure that customers complaint(s) are responded to promptly.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Kaduna Electric, Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya said the Company is engaging all stakeholders on the operations of the Company, the challenges being faced and the obligations of each party in the contract in order to create better understanding and sustainable progress in the sector.
Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya disclosed that the response of customers to payment of electricity bills in Birnin Gwari like other locations in Kaduna Electric franchise is telling on the Company’s ability to discharge its obligation to the Nigerian electricity market and sustain service delivery.
“Of particular concern, Your Royal Highness, is the fact that in Birnin Gwari and environs, every month we supply electricity worth about 38 million naira but because of the capping seal placed by the regulator, we are billing about 23 million naira. Sadly, the monthly collection since the beginning of this year is just about 4.5 million naira. This is a serious threat to our business sustainability”, Engr. Yahaya said.
The Kaduna Electric Managing Director also disclosed that the Company shall soon engage the service of collection agents in Birnin Gwari who shall paid for the energy off front.
He assured the Emir that Kaduna Electric shall work with the Emirate Council and all critical stakeholders to address all concerns and grievances of the customers.