Jos DisCo Assures Gombe Residents of Free Prepaid Meters, Improved Power Supply

By Editor Daily Fact

The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) has reiterated its commitment to improved service delivery, promising residents of Gombe State reliable power supply, timely repairs of faulty transformers, and the distribution of free prepaid meters beginning September 2025.

Speaking at a Customers Consultative Forum held in Gombe on Saturday, the State Operating Officer of JEDC, Mr. Rilwan Shehu, said the engagement was designed to give customers a platform to air their concerns and for the company to gather direct feedback on service delivery.

“We are committed to improving service delivery to our customers,” Shehu said. “The most important thing is that you have a problem, and I have the solution. The solution is here with us in JEDC.”

He explained that under the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) Metering Scheme, installation of prepaid meters would be absolutely free, stressing that customers must not pay any amount before receiving them.

According to him, no fewer than 109,000 prepaid meters will be distributed across JEDC’s franchise states — Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, and Plateau — starting with Band A customers who enjoy up to 24-hour power supply.

“The meters coming are absolutely free. No one is expected to pay for them. If anyone asks you for money before installation, report them and we will take action,” Shehu warned.

Transformers, vandalism and responsibilities

Shehu also clarified that the responsibility for fixing faulty transformers rests solely with JEDC, not customers, noting that the company currently manages nearly 3,000 transformers in Gombe State.

“The only responsibility of customers is to pay their bills as and when due, and to report attempts at vandalising our installations,” he said.

While acknowledging improvements in power supply across the state, Shehu lamented the menace of vandalism, describing it as a major obstacle to stable electricity distribution. He revealed that security agencies had already arrested 11 suspects linked to transformer cable thefts.

“Vandalism is a cartel. The buyers of stolen materials are our biggest problem. If they stop buying, there won’t be vandalism,” he said.

Safety and awareness

Also speaking, Mr. Abubakar Lamido, Safety Officer from JEDC headquarters, warned residents against tampering with electrical installations, stressing that doing so poses severe risks.

> “Electricity doesn’t talk and it doesn’t know who you are. People should keep away from our installations because of the dangers associated with them,” Lamido cautioned.

On his part, Mr. Anas Sadiq, JEDC’s Meter Asset Provider Desk Officer, confirmed that meter deployment had already begun in Plateau State and would extend to Gombe by the end of September.

“We want to close the metering gaps in Band A before proceeding to other categories,” he said.

Customers’ reactions

Some customers at the forum commended JEDC for recent improvements in power supply but urged the company to intensify action against vandals who frequently plunge communities into darkness.

One of the participants, Dr. Okezie Ejeagba, however, expressed dissatisfaction, citing a lingering complaint over a faulty meter that lasted more than two years.

“I can’t be satisfied until I see my units refunded. I’ve been told before that the issue would be solved, but it wasn’t. Until I get my units back, I won’t be satisfied,” he said.

Partnership with customers

Shehu concluded by stressing that JEDC’s success depends on mutual cooperation with customers.

“Without the customers, we cannot remain in business. And without us, they need us for service delivery. It’s a partnership, and we are determined to make it work,” he said.