The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has reported that around 6,000 transformers were vandalised across Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina states during the four-day nationwide blackout.
However, the company stated that KEDCO issues monthly bills totalling N12 billion across the three states but often collects less than N6 billion.
Revealing this at a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Katsina, the Regional Manager of Katsina North, Mr Auwal Yusha’u, said, “In some areas, cables and transformer oil were also stolen. This situation is beyond KEDCO’s capacity to resolve alone.”
Yusha’u disclosed, “In some locations, entire transformers were stolen by criminals. Even here in Katsina, a transformer was taken.”
He emphasised, “The reality is that, without functional transformers, KEDCO cannot provide electricity to customers.”
Yusha’u urged residents to form committees to monitor any suspicious activity around transformers in their communities. He also advised customers to report transformer or electricity supply issues to the nearest KEDCO office rather than relying on unqualified individuals.
“In Katsina North, we have 14 feeders supplying electricity and five substations, each with an assigned controller,” he explained. “We also have two substations without controllers. Our coverage area includes Katsina town, Jibia, Batsari, Batagarawa, Kaita, and Rimi local government areas.
“In this zone, we have 50,119 registered customers. We bill N425 million monthly but collect only N152 million,” Yusha’u added.
“Just imagine the gap between the amount billed and what we actually collect every month.”
He noted that some customers consistently pay their bills and disclosed, “As of last month, we had 32,591 willing payers. This means we collect only 35 per cent of what we bill. Our response efficiency stands at 69 per cent.”
Highlighting vandalism as their biggest challenge, Yusha’u stated, “We need the support of all stakeholders to address this problem.”
Meanwhile, KEDCO’s Managing Director, Yusuf Abubakar, has assured customers in Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina states of a stable power supply during Ramadan.
However, he stressed that a stable power supply depends on customers fulfilling their responsibilities.
He added that management is engaging stakeholders in Abuja to ensure power stability during Ramadan, urging customers to pay their monthly bills to enable KEDCO to meet its obligations to electricity suppliers.
Abubakar emphasised that non-payment of electricity bills is a major challenge hindering KEDCO’s progress, noting that the company loses over N250 million every month in the Katsina North region alone, operating at a loss.
KEDCO’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Sani Bala, stated that the meeting aimed to address customer concerns and gather suggestions.
He assured customers that KEDCO would continue holding similar meetings and intensify its corporate social responsibility efforts.
According to him, KEDCO issues monthly bills totalling N12 billion across the three states but often collects less than N6 billion.
and then