The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AEDC

  • AEDC launches €2.2m service to reduce losses

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) at the weekend commissioned its €2.2million Integrated Commercial Management Systems (InCMS) project designed to reduce commercial losses.

    The chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. James Momoh, who commissioned the service in Abuja, said the system will help the company to improve the quality of services it renders to customers and allows the customers to use electricity efficiently.

    The NERC’s boss said “will in prove the quality of service in terms of the energy you use and reduce losses. I believe it will also provide for us the opportunity of efficient energy usage.”

    With the system, consumers of electricity may not leave on their power when it is unnecessary, he said, urging other distribution companies (DisCos) to take a cue from the AEDC.

    According to him, the company has actualised what the commission has been advocating that the Discos should reduce losses, resolve complaints quickly and give consumers the human face they deserve.

    The Managing Director, Engr. Ernest Mupwaya, who spoke with reporters after the commissioning, explained the InCMS is meant to manage all the company’s commercial operations, including customers’ service.

    He said that it will provide value to both business and customers, stressing that from the customers’ point of view, “it will provide visibility in all customers’ activities so that we can enforce compliance in terms of meeting target and for processes to be respected.”

    Mupwaya noted that “it is a system that covers all our franchise areas. We will be able to provide uniform service because we have visibility at every level of delivering service.”

    Asked what it cost the firm to procure the system, the Managing Director said that “the cost of this system is roughly €2.2million. But even if it sounds expensive, the value which will be derived from the service will be much more than that.”

    With the deployment of the service, Mupwaya said the firm will meet up with customers’ satisfaction, loyalty, which will increase their willingness to pay their bills.

    He also noted the system can check power theft which occurs from meter installation loopholes. But with the system, the firm will now be able to view what is happening at every stage.

    He insisted that “it is an intelligent system, which you can use to do energy balance. You would have known at a transformer level how much energy came out and how much was sold to the customers and where the gap is coming from.”

    He submitted that the system will protect revenue losses by showing whether customers bypass the meters.

    The Managing Director revealed that AEDC is currently installing the meters it procured at N10billion last year, noting the customers only need to register with the company that they need meters and they will receive them.

    He also announced that the company has finished procuring the Meter Asset Provider process that the NERC introduced and it will start massive installation of the meters as soon as it gets the “no objection” approval from the commission.

  • TCN, AEDC trade blame over load allocation, rejection

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria ( TCN ) and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on Friday traded blames over why power supply to the DisCos and customers was low.

    TCN’s Managing Director Usman Gur Mohammed said there was no network constraint in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) that would have amounted to load reduction.

    The TCN boss spoke at the official commissioning of 2*60 power transformers in Suleja Transmission Substation, Niger State.

    According to him, the constraint was simply that of the AEDC equipment.

    He promised to take the reporters on a tour on the transmission substations around within the territory of the AEDC.

    He said: “The constraint that Abuja has is within their equipment not within the network.

    “And there is no place in Abuja where we have the network. Let me tell you, some of the things we did in Kano, Kaduna, if you are interested we can take you.

    “In Kaduna they created this problem and said we have problem with network, I instructed our regional manager and said take them to the sub-station and show what was the capacity and what distribution were taking.

    “So, we will do the same thing for you to enter our sub-station in Abuja so that you can see for yourself what is the capacity there and what has Abuja DisCo taken.”

    But AEDC Head of Corporate Communications Oyebode Fadipe told our correspondent on phone although the AEDC had its challenges, it was unfair for the MD of TCN to blame all the constraints in the sector on it since there were also challenges of transmission network.

    He said: “It will be unfair to say that it is our company (AEDC) that made our customers not to have power in the homes.

    Read Also; TCN targets 20,000 megawatts in 2021, says MD

    “We have our challenges and TCN has its own constraints too, it is unfair for him to keep saying that the DisCos are the weakest link in the value chain. TCN should face its challenges and let us face our own.”

    The Nation, however, learnt from a source who did not want her name mentioned that “in this week, the breaker in Gwagwalada was bad. The line in Kukwaba, Kubwa tripped off.”

    The sources wondered whether those faults were those of AEDC equipment.

    The commissioned transformers, according to TCN, were from the $100million loan intervention that the Federal Government received from the International Development Association.

    The contract was awarded to Messrs MBH Power limited in June 2016 with a completion date of June 2018.

    The transformers that have load capacity of 48mw to 162mw will increase the substation’s capacity from 66mw to 162mw.

  • AEDC asks owners of buildings under high tension wire to quit

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has asked owners of buildings and shops under its high tension wires to vacate immediately for their own safety.

    Its Kogi State Regional Manager, Mrs Amina Ibrahim, who gave the order yesterday in Lokoja during a safety sensitisation/stakeholders meeting, also asked those trading under high tension cables to vacate.

    She said the quit order became necessary because of the approaching windstorm and heavy downpour, which could make the cables to snap.

    Ibrahim also warned residents against loitering around transformers and electric poles during this rainy season.

    According to her, the AEDC will not accept responsibility for any occurrence due to the negligence of electricity consumers, especially issues of safety of life and property.

    On the issue of crazy bills, the manager urged consumers with genuine complaints to come forward for resolution before the commencement of installation of pre- paid meters.

    She said over 151,000 electricity consumers will soon be given pre-paid meters.

    AEDC Deputy Director of Risk and Compliance Henry Digu, said the company was not after profit now, adding that it has been re-investing all the money it was making from the state into the state.

    He explained that electricity supply to the state had increased to between 18 and 24 hours, urging consumers to reciprocate by paying their bills regularly.

    He advised consumers to only patronise licensed electrical constructors for installations, saying that some fire incidences recently recorded were due to substandard electrical materials.

    Digu said fake AEDC staff had been going around to extort money from unsuspecting consumers.

    He said the company did not charge money for repair of transformers, electric poles and other services to consumers.

    He pleaded with the people to join hands with the AEDC to protect electrical equipment from vandals.

    The company, Digu said, was in the process of securing the services of the Kogi State Vigilante Service, to help secure power equipment in the state.

    Maigari of Lokoja Alhaji Muhammed Maikarfi, hailed AEDC for the improvement in power supply to the town.

    The traditional ruler also praised the company for its prompt response to customers’ complaints, promising to ensure that the message on safety is passed on.

    Consumers asked AEDC to open more cash collecting centres in Lokoja, to bring payment points closer to the people.

  • Absence of witness stalls NSCDC’s illegal connection suit

    The prosecution of one Kadiri Siaka by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), over illegal electricity connection was on Friday stalled due to the absence of a prosecution witness.

    Siaka was docked in a Wuse Zone 6 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on July 4, on a count charge of illegal electricity connection.

    When the case came up for hearing, NSCDC’s counsel, PureHeart Agabaenwere, told the court that the witness he intended to examine was not in court.

    Aganaenwere urged the court to step down the case pending when the witness will be in court.

    Read Also: Court dethrones Adamawa traditional ruler

    The Chief Magistrate, Theresa Otu, however, adjourned the case until Aug. 27 for definite hearing.

    The prosecution had alleged that the defendant trespassed into the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) property and illegally connected electricity into his shop.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with a surety in like sum.

    The offence contravened the provisions of Section 286 sub (2) of the Penal Code.

  • Niger govt. owes N134m electricity bill —AEDC

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) yesterday said that the Niger State government is owing N134 million for two months’ supply of electricity.

    The company made the disclosure just as the state government issued it a three week-ultimatum to permanently resolve the perennial power shortage in the state.

    The Deputy Governor, Mohammed Ketso, gave this ultimatum yesterday at a meeting with AEDC and other stakeholders on constant and stable electricity in the state.

    Ketso who is the chairman of the committee on constant and stable electricity charged the electricity stakeholders to put their acts together to ensure that the people are not made to suffer untold hardship.

     

  • Judges, AEDC move to curtail electricity theft

    Judges, AEDC move to curtail electricity theft

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Companies (AEDC) and judges of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday moved to curtail electricity theft in Abuja, Niger and Nassarawa States.

    Speaking in Abuja during a two-day workshop organized by the AEDC on electricity theft and related matters for judges in the FCT, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Ernest Mupwaya, said that the company and judges could share information that would curtail electricity theft.

    According to him, liquidity is the major problem that the sector is grappling with, which is consequent upon electricity theft and energy that is unaccounted for. 

    He recalled that while privatizing the power entities, the capability to reduce losses was an important consideration. 

    Mupwaya said that: “A major problem that we are facing in the sector is characterized by liquidity challenge. But if we analyze further the main reason that underpins the liquids challenge can be traced to the theft of electricity and unaccounted for energy in the sector. 

    “Because in order to have attained improvement in the sector there has to be efficient in the way the energy is being accounted for. There have to be deliberate processes that should curtail theft of electricity. 

    “Theft of electricity is real. It is for that reason that when the bidders for this these privatized entities put in their bids, the most important consideration for winning or procuring an asset was the aggressiveness of the program of addressing the losses.”

    He said there is a relationship between the electricity consumed in a country and its level of development.

    The Managing Director noted that if electricity theft is not addressed, it will continue to negate all the improvement efforts of the company. 

    Describing electricity is a national asset  FCT Chief Justice, Justice Ishak  Bello, promised that the judiciary will support the company to protect its facilities.

    He said that it was a moment to stimulate the mind of the service provider that reawakens the judiciary towards the organization, it is also a moment to see to so many situations such as abrupt power outage, an installation that leads to fire outbreak.

    He asked the power firm to fashion ways of averting such occurrences, stressing that if AEDC is not rising to its responsibilities litigations may come for the claim. 

    The Chief Justice informed the judges that the workshop was to for them to understand the workings of the AEDC for them to be able to follow the sequence of argument when the subject matter comes to their court. 

    He added that “you will easily comprehend the argument and understand and at the end of the day you will be able to know the sides fairly and justly decide.”

    He told the judges that the workshop was for them to see the type of services being delivered by the service provider and the penalties that are there.

    Bello described electricity as the most vital of the critical infrastructure and key resource that support the society, noting that “it will not be out of place to describe it as a national asset and it must be protected.

    Bello said that “As an arm of government, we in the judiciary are glad for major stakeholders like AEDC to collaborate in ensuring that this essential commodity is available to all and of course that power investments are well protected within the ambit of the law.”

  • AEDC sensitizes students on safe use of electricity

    AEDC sensitizes students on safe use of electricity

    Officials of Nasarawa Region of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) have taken the company’s health, safety and environment (HSE) campaign to the Ta’al Model Nursery, Primary and Secondary School in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, where they admonished the scholars to avoid playing around electrical wires and also advise their parents not to build under high tension power lines.

    Addressing the pupils and students after the distribution of 500 notebooks bearing safety messages at the school’s premises, the AEDC’s Nasarawa Regional Manager, Alhaji Ameen Shakur said that while electricity has several benefits for human existence and comfort, it is also a dangerous product if not properly handled.

    “We recognize and appreciate children as you happen to be leaders of tomorrow. This is why we have brought this awareness and simple safety tips to your school so that you can have adequate knowledge of measures to take on how electrical accident can be prevented.

    The campaign of today is to further assure you that you have a right to live an accident free life if the tips are obeyed,” said Shakur who was represented by the Regional Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Rotimi Omisore.

    A statement issued by Ahmed Shekarau, the company’s Head of Public Relations & Media at the weekend, said the Regional Manager also told the youngsters that as potential workers and users of electricity, the AEDC deliberately targeted them with its HSE campaign so that they began to have knowledge of how electrical accidents can be avoided.

    The statement said Shakur also disclosed that the donation of books was part of AEDC’s 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, and that the choice of the school was to further actualize the commitment of the Nasarawa State Government to the education of the teeming youths in the state.

    Responding on behalf of the school, Principal of the secondary section, Mallam Hamza Maina expressed gratitude to AEDC for the gesture and for selecting the school out of many in the state, and assured the company that the management of the school would also ensure electrical safety as part of its curriculum.

    The statement said under its 2017 CSR projects, AEDC is among other things distributing a total of 20,000 exercise books to students and pupils in FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states in order to introduce safe usage of electricity to young Nigerians. Similar HSE campaigns were carried out at the LEA Primary School in Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, as well as the Kofar Hausa Primary School in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

  • AEDC raises panel on Niger electrical accident

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has raised a six-man investigative team to investigate the electrical accident, which happened in Angwan Biri, a neighbourhood of Minna, the Niger State capital.

    A statement by the Head, Public Relations and Media, Ahmed Shekarau, said a preliminary report showed that the binding wire of an 11kv line got loose due to a windy condition, and came in contact with the 415V red phase cable, thus sending high voltage.

    Two persons died in the accident and four others sustained injuries.

    Director, Risk and Compliance Collins Chabuka, who inaugurated the panel yesterday, dismissed insinuations. He cautioned the media and the public against misinformation.

    His words: “It is AEDC’s internal health and safety policy requirements that all accidents are investigated by independent internal persons with extensive industry background, competence and knowledge. The purpose of the investigation is to highlight the shortcomings that may have led to the incident and recommend industry best practice and remedial measures to prevent a recurrence.

    Chabuka described the incident as “most unfortunate”, saying the company complied with regulatory requirements by officially notifying the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) of the accident.

    He commiserated with the family of the deceased, the Angwan Biri community, and the injured.

    The investigative panel comprises Mohammed Ainoko Sule (chairman); Dirisu Biodun; Sani Ibrahim; Aminu Ubandoma; Adamu Mohammed and Mr. Hisham Kamar. It has two weeks to submit its report.

     

  • AEDC raises panel on electrical accident in Niger

    AEDC raises panel on electrical accident in Niger

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on Tuesday raised a six-man Investigative Team set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the electrical accident, which occurred in Angwan Biri, a neighbourhood of Minna, the Niger State capital.

    A press statement issued by Ahmed Shekarau, Head, Public Relations & Media of the Company said a preliminary report on the incident showed that the binding wire of an 11Kv line got loose due to a windy condition and came into contact with the 415V red phase cable, thus sending high voltage which was alleged to have led to the unfortunate death of two people, while four others sustained injuries.

    Inaugurating the panel in Abuja, the Director, Risk and Compliance, Engr. Collins Chabuka also used the opportunity to dismiss insinuations that 49 houses were affected in the incident as “false”, and cautioned the media and other members of the public against misinformation.

    Chabuka said the decision of the Company to set up a probe panel was in line with the internal AEDC Incident Reporting and Investigation Procedure Guidelines and industry best practice.

    “It is AEDC’s internal Health and Safety Policy requirements that all accidents are investigated by independent internal persons with an extensive industry background, competence and knowledge. The purpose of the investigation is to highlight the shortcomings that may have led to the incident and also to recommend industry best practice and remedial measures to prevent a recurrence,” he said.

    Describing the incident as “most unfortunate”, the AEDC Director, said that the Company had complied with regulatory requirements by officially notifying the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) of the accident.

    The AEDC director, while commiserating with the family of the deceased and other members of the Angwan Biri Community, also expressed the company’s sympathy with the injured, three of whom have been treated and discharged from the hospital. He assured that the AEDC is taking over treatment of the lone victim who is still receiving treatment in hospital.

    The investigative panel is being chaired by Engineer Mohammed Ainoko Sule, an experienced Nigerian Electricity Industry professional with over 26 years of experience in Distribution Network Operations, Maintenance and Protection System.

    Other members of the team are the Head of Health and Safety, Engineer Dirisu Biodun; the Regional Head, Human Resources, Malam Sani Ibrahim; the Team Lead, Legal Services, Niger Region, Barr. Aminu Ubandoma; the Regional Corporate Communications Officer, Adamu Mohammed and a Health and Safety Officer, Mr. Hisham Kamar.

    The Panel has two weeks to submit its report.

  • AEDC to distribute more power with new transmission station

    AEDC to distribute more power with new transmission station

    With the commissioning of the Kukuaba Transmission Station, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on Tuesday said that it is now reinforced and better positioned to serve its customers better.

    Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, where the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Louis Edozien, the Managing Director of AEDC, Engr. Ernest Mupwaya explained that the company can now distribute power directly to Lugbe and its environs. 

    This, according to him, is that the line from where the consumers are now getting their power is nearby. 

    “Those who are being served from Katampe in Gwarimpa, Life Camp, Mabuchi, Maitama, Wuse II, Jahi and others will also enjoy improved supply. This is so because it has now been freed of the power it was releasing to Lugbe. In the long time, we will have the capacity to take more electricity,” he said.

    According to him, the firm has reinforced 4,048 sub-stations in its network through maintenance services while surveying the protection system of 68 others.

    Speaking earlier at the opening session of the 17th Power Sector Meeting in Abuja, he said the reinforcement was to boost power supply and enhance health and safety in its operational environment.

    The AEDC boss noted the improvement in the power sector saying, “the usual discussions in the past about power deficit is gradually giving way to discussions about increased power not being utilised. This is further supported by the rate at which incremental generation is being commissioned in the industry.”

    He noted that commissioning the 132/33Kva Kukuaba transmission sub-station by the federal government shortly after the meeting would boost power supply directly in Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “The majority of customers in Abuja City such as Maitama, Wuse II, Gwarinpa and Mpape will also benefit from improved supply because of the freed capacity in the Katampe transmission substation,” Mupwaya added.

    Reeling out other achievements of the Distribution Company (DisCo) since it was privatised in 2013, he said: “We have completed Large Power Users (LPU) metering of 3,885 customers by February 2017; flagged off metering of Small Power Users (SPU) in December 2016 and close to 90,000 are metered so far.”

    AEDC said it has improved the organisational design, corporate governance and compliance, and improved training for its personnel.

    The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Engr. Louis Edozien who chaired the meeting said the ministry has rolled out policy directives to address the limitation of 33Kv and 11Kv distribution infrastructures across the DisCos to solve the issues of power underutilisation often tagged as load rejection.

    Edozien urged the DisCos not to feel threatened by the recent ‘Eligible Customer’ pronouncement that will allow certain customers to buy power directly from the Generation Companies (GenCos). He said the declaration will strengthen their services and improve revenue base to tackle the liquidity crisis in the sector.

    He also revealed that the Market Operator and the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) are in the process of restructuring the bulk energy debts owed by DisCos to help them raise financing while improving their services to customers.