Improvement

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

Published

1 year ago

August 31, 2025

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.

Education

UBRBDA Staff School Records 59 New Pupils, Secures Two Classroom Blocks in Dadin Kowa

Published

2 weeks ago

October 10, 2026

DailyFact Desk

By Our Correspondent

Dadin Kowa Area Office Pledges Improved Academic Standards, Better Learning Environment

The Upper Benue Staff School in Dadin Kowa has recorded 59 new pupil enrolments since resuming academic activities in September, in a development that signals growing interest in the institution among parents in the host community and neighbouring areas.

The development was announced by the Head Teacher of the Primary Section during a review meeting convened by the Dadin Kowa Area Office of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) to assess the school’s progress and discuss strategies for improving academic standards and infrastructure.

The meeting, held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, brought together the Area Manager, members of the School Management Committee and management staff of the Area Office to evaluate achievements recorded since the school’s resumption and chart a sustainable path for its development.

The Area Manager reaffirmed the office’s commitment to improving teaching and learning standards, providing a conducive educational environment and supporting the school’s continued growth.

He also disclosed that further collaborative initiatives with the Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin Kowa, were being planned to strengthen institutional cooperation and enhance the school’s development.

Earlier, the Chairman of the School Management Committee informed the meeting that the committee had visited the Federal College of Horticulture on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, where the Provost formally handed over two blocks of classrooms to the Dadin Kowa Area Office through the committee.

According to the Chairman, the Provost encouraged the immediate occupation and utilisation of the facilities to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.

The Provost also pledged the college’s continued support for the development of the staff school, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to educational advancement within the community.

The provision of the additional classroom blocks is expected to improve the school’s learning environment, provide more space for pupils and support the delivery of quality education.

Speaking on the school’s growing enrolment, the Head Teacher of the Primary Section disclosed that 59 pupils had registered since the school resumed in September.

She noted that registration was still ongoing, with several parents from neighbouring communities expressing interest in enrolling their children.

The increasing enrolment is seen as an encouraging development for the school as it continues to strengthen its presence within the host community.

The relocation of the school, alongside the allocation of additional classroom facilities, is also expected to provide a more suitable learning environment and improve access to educational opportunities for children in Dadin Kowa and surrounding communities.

Management staff of the Dadin Kowa Area Office welcomed the progress recorded so far, describing the developments as encouraging.

They emphasised the need for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen academic delivery, improve teaching standards and ensure that the school’s recent achievements translate into lasting educational benefits.

The meeting also underscored the importance of continued institutional support, effective school management and adequate learning facilities in promoting academic excellence.

Participants expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts would position the Upper Benue Staff School for further growth and enable it to meet the educational needs of pupils within the community.

The meeting concluded with a group photograph of participants.

The press release was issued by the Planning, Monitoring and Public Relations Unit of the Dadin Kowa Area Office of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA).