The Jos Electricity Distribution Plc says it has provided free meters to 12,000 customers in the Rantya community of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The Managing Director of JED, Abdul Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement by the company’s Head, Corporate Communications, Dr Adakole Elijah, on Friday in Jos.

Mr Mohammed stated this at the launch of its Investor Financing Metering and Point of Sale Terminals at Rantya.

The managing director said that the company had commenced the process of metering its customers, adding that the move would put an end to estimated billings.

“Metering is the only credible implementation of energy measurement and this is why we procured over 12,000 prepaid meters to be installed for customers in Rantya. All the houses in this community will be metered end-to-end. There will be no exception. It is important to note that we chose the Rantya community to commence this exercise, and that is why we have procured meters in large quantities to cater for the entire feeder in the area. Everybody on the feeder shall be metered free of charge,” he said.

Mr Mohammed, who said that the company was poised to provide excellent services to its customers, warned residents to desist from energy theft.

“I have instructed my colleagues to ensure that supply is steadily and reliably available. We also want to implore you to ensure that you do not bypass these meters, we plead with you to protect this entire venture so that we can re-invest to ensure energy availability.

“A single-phase meter costs over N80,000 while a three-phase meter costs over N140,000, but we are giving you these meters free of charge. Please take ownership of these meters; Report all faults officially to JED and don’t allow third-party electricians to tamper with the meters,” he said.

Mr Mohammed said that the company had engaged the services of the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences, established by the Federal Government.

He said that the taskforce is responsible for investigating, prosecution and jailing of electricity thieves and vandals.

In a brief remark, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Alhaji Mammanlafia Umar, urged residents of Rantya to jealously guard the meters against bypass.

“Guide this investment jealously to enable us to extend the same gesture to other communities. Once these meters are bypassed, it defeats the purpose of the investment. We want you to protect the meters such that if you see your neighbours bypassing them, you should speak out,” he said.

Also speaking, the District Head of Rantya, Da Pam Gyang, thanked the company for the gesture and promised to ensure the meters were not tampered with.

(NAN)