The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AEDC

  • Senate to probe Abuja electricity company over fraudulent bills

    Senate to probe Abuja electricity company over fraudulent bills

    The Senate is set to investigate the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) over alleged fraudulent billing of electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Senator Dino Melaye, who raised the matter at plenary on Tuesday, said the AEDC has been perpetrating the alleged scam though estimated billing system.

    Based on the information provided by Melaye through a “point of order,” the Senate resolved to discuss the billing system of all electricity distribution companies in the country.

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    The senator narrated how the AEDC officials came to his residence and changed his prepaid meter to a new one, which they later came to remove three weeks after.

    He said the company also placed his house on the estimated billing system, describing the act as “very astronomical and unfair.”

    Melaye wondered how ordinary Nigerians could afford to pay such astronomical bills if privileged individuals are finding it difficult to pay.

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    “If me that is a privileged Nigerian is undergoing this pain and agonising over the astronomical bills, what do we say about the man in Aguileri or the young palm wine tapper in Otuoke.

    “We must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We must discuss this issue of estimated billing by all distribution companies in Nigeria,” the senator added.

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary, placed the complaint on record, saying the matter would be discussed on Wednesday’s plenary.

  • AEDC gets new chief finance officer

    AEDC gets new chief finance officer

    The Board of Directors of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has approved the appointment of Mrs. Ije Ikoku as chief finance officer (CFO), in an acting capacity.
    A statement yesterday by AEDC’s Head of Public Relations and Media Ahmed Shekarau, said Ije’s appointment followed the demise of the pioneer CFO, Mr. Andrew James Atterbury, on January 19.
    Mrs. Ije, according to the statement, brings over 18 years of leadership experience in investments and infrastructure finance to AEDC, having been a founding team member of Copperbelt Electricity Company (CEC) Africa Investments, a multi-country infrastructure investment platform.
    Before joining IFC, Ije was the Finance dir. She spent her professional career (primarily in finance), supporting entrepreneurial ventures in the United States, Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia and South Africa.
    The new CFo worked at Charles Schwab, Emerging Capital Partners, to name a few.
    Mrs. Ije holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

  • AEDC launches business process reform project

    AEDC launches business process reform project

    The Management of Abuja Electricity Distribution (AEDC) has launched the company’s Business Process Reengineering (BPR) project, which is a two-year project aimed at instituting a better work culture, greater productivity and improved customer service delivery.
    The 76 employees, who were selected as ‘Change Champions’, with the special task of driving the reform project, were unveiled at the launch.
    Managing Director Ernest Mupwaya urged workers to strive towards excellence in their respective duties. He enjoined them to ensure honesty, integrity and be “customer-centred” in line with the company’s values.
    A statement at the weekend by AEDC’s Head of Public Relations and Media, Ahmed Shekarau, said Mupwaya reminded the workers they cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different result.
    He told them with the privatisation of the power sector, customers’ expectations from the company were high, stressing the need for them to adjust for improved service delivery.
    Coordinator of the project Mrs. Clara Musama announced that in the first phase of the project, which began last April, 136 business processes were mapped, 20 of which are totally new processes and are now ready for implementation.
    She added that some of the processes were being tested in the field.
    Mrs. Musama said the approved processes were arrived at after 40 workshops between April and November, and announced that a new company-wide organisational structure, which is aligned to the new processes, will be implemented soon.

  • AEDC launches business process reform project

    The Management of Abuja Electricity Distribution (AEDC) has launched the company’s Business Process Reengineering (BPR) project, which is a two-year project aimed at instituting a better work culture, greater productivity and improved customer service delivery.

    The 76 employees, who were selected as ‘Change Champions’, with the special task of driving the reform project, were also unveiled at the launch.

    Managing Director Ernest Mupwaya urged workers to strive towards excellence in their respective duties. He enjoined them to ensure honesty, integrity and be “customer-centred” in line with the company’s values.

    A statement at the weekend by AEDC’s Head of Public Relations and Media, Ahmed Shekarau, said Mupwaya reminded the workers they cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different result.

    He also reminded them that with the privatisation of the power sector, customers’ expectations from the company were high, stressing the need for them to adjust for improved service delivery.

    Coordinator of the project Mrs. Clara Musama announced that in the first phase of the project, which began last April, 136 business processes were mapped, 20 of which are totally new processes and are now ready for implementation.

    She added that some of the processes were being tested in the field.

    Mrs. Musama said the approved processes were arrived at after 40 workshops between April and November, and announced that a new company-wide organisational structure, which is aligned to the new processes, will be implemented soon.

  • AEDC laments inadequate power allocation

    AEDC laments inadequate power allocation

    The management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has lamented that its allocation of 11.5 per cent of the power generated in the country is inadequate for all its customers.

    The power firm which was responding to the compalints of Concerned Citizens of Niger State that accused it of disproportionate power distribution, explained that its allocation was grossly inadequate to take care of all the customers its franchies areas.

    “We concentrate the largest proportion of it in the FCT. This is justifiably so for very obvious reasons. One, the Federal Capital City-Abuja-is Nigeria’s seat of government, serving as host to many strategic national and international institutions, including the NnamdiAzikiwe International Airport, the National Hospital, various military formations as well as several diplomatic missions.

    “It bears emphasis here, therefore, that while we accord the highest regard to all our customers across the entire coverage area, including Niger State, we cannot turn a blind eye to the very strategic power requirements of the FCT. Secondly, it is equally important to let the public know that 70 per cent of our customers are located in the FCT. Hence, we have no choice but to domesticate the largest proportion of our allocation in the Territory,” the firm explained.

    Central among the allegations by the group is the claim that “AEDC is playing a game of deception through disproportionate distribution to different areas (of Niger State) every day to cover the appearance of blanket power outage”. In response to this highly prejudiced accusation, we wish to state at the outset that as a responsible corporate entity which is legally licensed to market and distribute electricity in the FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states, AEDC values the patronage of all its esteemed customers, notwithstanding their locations or places of residence, or even social status.”

    Besides, it said it is also pertinent to explain that as one of the 11 distribution companies, AEDC is only entitled to 11.5 per cent of whatever quantum of electricity that is available for distribution at the national pool. “This comprises electricity generated from all the functional plants from amongst the 26 power generating plants, including the three hydropower stations in Niger State. It is also very important to point out that the 11.5 per cent of power available for national distribution has in recent times hovered in the region of 300 megawatts (Mw) daily due to the low national generation occasioned by acts of vandalism. This is 150Mw below AEDC’s baseline allocation where the generation atmosphere is peaceful.

    “Notwithstanding the drop in generation, however, we have always shared theproportion of power allocated to us equitably amongst our customers in the coverage area, namely the three states listed above and the FCT.

    Part of the grouse of the group is that the three hydropower stations serving the country are domiciled in their state, and for which reason they feel Niger State should receive more electricity than it currently does.

  • AEDC commits $160m to metering 500,000 customers

    AEDC commits $160m to metering 500,000 customers

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), yesterday flagged-off its mass-metering exercise aimed at installing 500,000 meters in its catchment area.

    The exercise which is billed to be completed in about three years would cost  $160million.

    Speaking with reporters after the commissioning of its free metering project in Abuja Investment Estate, Apo, the Managing Director, Mr. Ernest Muprauya, said the metering will take place simultaneously in all the AEDC areas of coverage.

    He said: “We estimated that we will install 500,000 customers. And these meters are of various sizes; we have Three-Phase meter, Single face and Maximum Demand. The whole meters in the project together with other supporting ancillary services, will cost us in the region of $160million.”

    He said the meters have a lot of advantages, as they put the power on the hand of the consumers to use electricity  the way they can afford to pay .

    “Secondly, they will be able to budget. It also  will bring convenienc  as they don’t need to come and queue. They can just access the vendor nearby or use their smart phones to access our website and buy. It has several advantages. Most importantly, it will bring transparency.

    “Once you buy units, you know how many units you have bought and you are sure that you have not been shortchanged. It will improve our business.”

    The AEDC, according to him, has started the enumeration of its consumers and the exercise would cost about $5million.

    The company’s board chairman, Shehu Malami said customers were complaining about over-billing and demanded for meters that prompted the deployment.

    He said it appeared that the customers were already used to free electricity as they were also not comfortable with metering. He however appealed to them to pay for what they consume.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Musa Bello recalled that the relationship between the ministry and the company was not cordial from inception until it presented a roadmap that culminated in the commissioning of mass metering yesterday.

    He noted that vandalism of power installations is a major problem in the city and appealed to residents to protect the installations.

    The minister also appealed to the AEDC to provide more power to the territory, which he said “I feel embarrassed how dark the city is at night. Out of frustration, many are considering off-grid solutions which is environmentally unfriendly. Your customers may look for alternative solution which may not be good for your company.”

     

  • AEDC leaving Kogi in darkness

    The federal govern-ment decided to privatise the power sector to improve its efficiency to provide power supply in the country just like the telecom industries, where a remarkable feat was recorded

    The joy of most Nigerians was short lived, when the privatisation turns out to be a mirage, thus throwing the entire country into darkness never experienced before this called privatisation of the power sector.

    While other parts of the country are heaping praises on their DISCOS, the case of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company turnsout to be the worst in the country.

    The entire people of Kogi State most especially Lokoja is worst hit by this non availability of power thus making lives miserable and hard for resident.

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution company refuses to elaborate and explain to the people why the constant failure in power supply in spite of payment of electricity bills every month.

    The non-availability of this power supply has affected many small scale industries, like barbing salon, grinding engines for basic needs of some homes.

    Also the non-supply of electricity has affected the supply of water to many houses. The insinuation making the rounds that people don’t pay their light bills as at when due is unreasonable and uncalled for, to say the least. The percentage of the people who paid their monthly bills every month supersedes those who did not pay due to certain circumstances beyond their control.

    The AEDC should rise to its responsibilities like its DISCO counterparts across the countries who are giving their teeming consumers power supply to best of their ability.

    -ByBalaNayashi

    Lokoja

     

  • ‘AEDC ranks second in network investment’

    ‘AEDC ranks second in network investment’

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc. (AEDC) has in the past two years added over 350 distribution transformers to its network and modernised its billing and vending systems to eliminate crazy billing and create platform for massive roll out, which will commence soon, its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Neil F. Croucher has said.

    Speaking in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, Mr. Croucher said as part of its aggressive investment, the company is also taking delivery of more than 150 vehicles to enhance its operations.

    He said out of the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos), AEDC is ranked second in the level of improvement and investment in the network, attributing the feat partly to the recruitment of Nigerians for key positions in order to increase capacity for service delivery.

    Croucher said despite the achievements of the company in the past two years, management believes that it can only draw the strength for real transformation from employees who must be motivated. He said this was why AEDC is focusing on manpower training and development so as to deliver.

    The AEDC CEO added that the company is also introducing a new salary scale that is robust and that would meet the aspiration of workers as the company continues to grow. “In collaboration with Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO), employees being owed outstanding bulk rent and leave allowances have been largely paid.

     

  • NERC fines Abuja power firm N18m over kid’s electrocution

    NERC fines Abuja power firm N18m over kid’s electrocution

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has imposed a fine of N18million on Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) over the electrocution of eight-year old Faith Yakubu at Anguwan Dodo, Gwagwalada, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which is within the firm’s distribution franchise area.

    In a resolution, NERC uphold the recommendations of its Panel Report of Accident Investigation which found the distribution company (DISCo) liable of negligence.

    The resolution of the Commission on the accident read:  “AEDC shall pay N18, 000, 000. 00 as compensation to the family of Faith Yakubu and communicate same to the Commission accordingly.

    “AEDC should ensure that the surviving four month old child undergoes medical check up in a recognised hospital and evidence presented to the Commission for further directives.”

    The DISCo was directed to carry out regular safety enlightenment campaign in accordance with the Nigeria Electricity Safety Manual and Nigeria Electricity Safety Code.

    AEDC was also directed to adequately train its workers on market regulations as well as ensure that its Marketing Units are provided with competent technical staff with the sole responsibility of carrying out the function of connection and disconnection of customers when all conditions for disconnections in line with NERC’s regulations have been met.

    The accident occurred when a worker of AEDC disconnected the wire feeding the Yakubus’ residence over allegation of accumulated bills and left the wire lying on the ground even as he failed to disconnect supply from the transformer.

    The deceased, in her innocence, was running an errand with the surviving four month old baby boy strapped on her back, grabbed the wire in an attempt to cross over the naked wire when she got electrocuted. The baby on her back survived the accident.

  • AEDC calls for relocation of buildings under high-tension wires

    AEDC calls for relocation of buildings under high-tension wires

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Limited (AEDC) on Monday called on owners of houses built under high-tension wires to remove them.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Ahmed Shekarau, the Head, Public Relations and Media of AEDC and sent to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    It warned electricity consumers to refrain from patronising unlicensed electricians when faults occurred on their power lines or appliances.

    It stated that AEDC had recorded zero deaths and accidents in the second quarter of the year.

    According to the statement, this is the first time such a feat is being recorded in the history of the company.

    The statement added that no staff was involved in negative incident on safety, health and environment, between April and of June.

    The Managing Director/CEO of AEDC, Mr. Neil Croucher, commended the staff of the company for the achievement.

    The statement added that Croucher urged the staff to sustain the same record.

    It added that since the takeover of the company in November 2013, new investors had raised the AEDC’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy to a higher level.

    The statement stated that the AEDC management created a board committee to ensure that HSE was fully integrated in its operations.

    The statement reported Croucher as saying that AEDC valued health and environment because its operation was not just selling electricity and make money, but to ensure safe use of the product.

    It sated that if electricity was not handled properly, it could cause injury or death, hence AEDC had taken it as its primary responsibility to educate customers on the safe handling of electricity.

    The statement stated that Croucher cautioned people to avoid vandalism, encroachment on installations and not to tamper with such installations because they were accident prone areas.

    It further stated that the AEDC management had taken as its responsibility to ensure education of customers and stakeholders on the safe handling of electricity.

    It stated that AEDC had also started its quarterly safety sensitisation campaign in three states – Kogi, Niger and FCT.