Help us tackle energy theft, Jos DisCo urges communities

The management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc has decried the incessant activities of vandals and energy theft in its network and urged residents to help it tackle the situation. Speaking on the spate of vandalism and energy theft in its franchise states, the Managing Director (MD) of the DisCo, Engr Abdu Bello Mohammed, said that […]

The management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc has decried the incessant activities of vandals and energy theft in its network and urged residents to help it tackle the situation.

Speaking on the spate of vandalism and energy theft in its franchise states, the Managing Director (MD) of the DisCo, Engr Abdu Bello Mohammed, said that apart from the heavy revenue losses which were impinging on the financial status of the company, there was also the danger of electrocution.

Represented by the Head, Revenue Protection Unit, Abdulaziz Adediji, the MD disclosed that instances abounded where some members of some communities were aiding and abetting vandalism and energy theft.

He, therefore, advised that such issues should be reported to the law enforcement agencies.

• Hardship: Northern students withdraw from planned nationwide protests
• Bandits kill 1, abduct 4 others in Kaduna

The MD called on members of the public to watch out for bad elements who had been in the habit of masquerading as staff of the DisCo with the view to reporting them for apprehension and prosecution.

He noted that, to tame the hydra-headed monster, the company had initiated a legal measure aimed at prosecution which could lead to five years imprisonment as contained in the 2023 Electricity Act.

He said the company lost about N1.6bn in revenue in the second quarter of 2024, stressing that if the trend was not halted, it would greatly impinge on the collection status of the company.

He added that the company had instituted a whistle-blower policy with cash rewards.