Connect with us

News

Petition Filed Against Jos Electricity Distribution Company Over Transformer Neglect in Tumfure Community

Published

on

 

A formal petition has been submitted to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) by residents of Tumfure community in Gombe State, accusing the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) of gross negligence and violation of regulatory obligations following a month-long blackout caused by a damaged transformer.

In the petition addressed to the Chairman of NERC, Abdulkadir Aliyu Shehu, representing over 100 affected households, stated that the Almajiri transformer serving the Tumfure community has been out of service for nearly a month. Despite repeated appeals and visits to JEDC offices in Gombe and Jos, residents claim no meaningful action has been taken to inspect or repair the transformer.

“This is not just a technical failure; it is an institutional failure that borders on negligence and abuse of regulatory frameworks,” Shehu wrote, emphasizing the severe impact on homes, businesses, schools, and essential services in the area.

 

The petition highlights that Tumfure residents were placed under Band A classification, which, according to NERC’s service-based tariff (SBT) structure, guarantees a minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily. However, the community has received zero hours of supply for close to a month, raising concerns about false billing and service fraud.

“Despite community-level communications and requests for assistance, JEDC has not even shown a clear intent to inspect or repair the faulty transformer,” the petition reads. It further notes that all attempts to engage JEDC have resulted in “empty promises.”

Citing the NERC Investment in Electricity Networks Regulation (2015) and the Order on Customer Responsibilities, the petition asserts that DisCos are legally obligated to repair or replace damaged infrastructure. “The practice of shifting the cost of network repairs and upgrades to consumers whether through coercion or abandonment is illegal and has been explicitly prohibited by NERC,” Shehu stated.

Advert

 

The petition also references Regulation 1, Section 11 of NERC’s Connection and Disconnection Procedures for Electricity Services (2017), which mandates that distribution licensees maintain and repair equipment up to the customer’s point of connection. “JEDC has violated this provision,” the residents allege.

Additionally, the petition invokes Section 63 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005, which requires licensees to operate efficiently and ensure safe, reliable electricity delivery. “JEDC has fallen far short of this,” Shehu wrote, calling for regulatory scrutiny.

The residents argue that the delay in restoring power violates NERC’s Customer Service Standards of Performance, which provide specific timelines for fault resolution. “A delay of over 30 days without electricity for a critical fault like this is a blatant breach,” the petition states.

According to the petition, over 98% of affected residents use prepaid meters, meaning they have paid in advance for services they are not receiving. “This makes the continued outage not only unlawful but deeply exploitative,” Shehu emphasized.

The blackout has led to significant economic and social distress. “Many residents have lost perishable goods, and small businesses that rely on power for refrigeration, charging, tailoring, welding, and printing are on the brink of collapse,” the petition notes. Students preparing for exams have been forced to study in darkness, compounding the emotional toll.

The community has refused to contribute funds for the transformer repair, citing NERC regulations that prohibit such consumer-financed infrastructure. “Let it be on record that we refuse to be blackmailed into funding infrastructure we are not legally required to finance,” Shehu declared.

The petition warns that continued inaction may prompt legal action and appeals to consumer protection agencies and National Assembly oversight committees. “We are also placing NERC on notice that continued inaction will leave us with no option but to seek redress through public legal action,” the residents stated.

The petition was copied to key stakeholders, including the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Power, Senator Muhammadu Danjuma Goje, the Chief Whip of the House, the Minister of Power, and the Consumer Protection Agency.

 

In conclusion, the residents call on NERC to urgently direct JEDC to repair or replace the Almajiri transformer and restore power in line with Band A obligations. They also request a broader investigation into JEDC’s service delivery across Gombe State and appropriate sanctions for proven violations.

“We trust in your Commission’s role as the protector of electricity consumers and believe that this formal petition will be met with swift and decisive enforcement action,” Shehu concluded on behalf of the Tumfure community.

 

News

Kaduna 2027: Governor Uba Sani Replaces Deputy, Names Jerry Adams as Running Mate

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has officially nominated the Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams, as his new running mate.

The announcement, made on Tuesday via a personally signed statement, effectively signals the end of the ticket with the current Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, who also served as Deputy to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai during his second term.

Governor Sani framed the decision as more than a political calculation, describing it as a “reaffirmation” of his administration’s core philosophy of inclusive governance.

Advert

“This decision is far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate. It is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration since I took the oath of office on 29 May 2023; the values of inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and the unwavering conviction that every citizen of Kaduna State deserves a genuine sense of belonging,” the Governor stated.

Addressing the state’s complex socio-political landscape, Sani noted that Kaduna’s rich diversity in ethnicity, religion, and culture should be a source of strength rather than division. He reflected on the state’s history, emphasizing the need to learn from past conflicts.

“Our history has taught us difficult lessons about the heavy cost of division, mistrust and exclusion. Yet it has also shown us that when we choose dialogue over discord, inclusion over alienation and justice over prejudice, our people achieve extraordinary things together,” he added.

The Governor touted his administration’s track record over the last three years as evidence of this commitment, citing equitable distribution of developmental projects across the state’s 23 local government areas. Key sectors highlighted include road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, rural development, and social protection programs.

The nomination of Jerry Adams, who currently oversees the state’s revenue generation, signals a potential shift in the administration’s focus toward economic consolidation and fiscal expansion as it prepares for the 2027 electoral contest.

Continue Reading

News

No Sin in Politics’ Wike Says as Fubara Returns to Rainbow Coalition

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

FCT minister Nyesom Wike has welcomed the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to his political side, declaring the latter has corrected his mistakes.

He said this in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting the project, alongside the ongoing construction of the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

Reacting to the Rivers governor’s recent declaration about his return to the Rainbow Coalition and pledge of complete loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Mr Wike said, “There is no sin in politics.”

Advert

The minister further stated, “If someone realises he made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that.

“What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and deciding to take the right path.”

The minister, who welcomed Mr Fubara back into his political fold, insisted that the governor had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that brought him to power.

Mr Wike explained that the Rivers governor’s decision to align with his political camp publicly was a step in the right direction, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen support for Mr Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him,” Mr Wike stated.

Continue Reading

News

Aminu Magashi Donates Relief Materials to Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre Inmates

Published

on

 

The Technical Adviser to the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, has donated relief materials, including blankets, food items, and essential drugs, to inmates of the Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre following the destruction caused by a recent rainstorm.

Dr. Magashi made the donation during a visit to the facility on Sunday, July 26, accompanied by officials of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi.

The visit followed a heavy rainstorm that damaged parts of the rehabilitation centre, leaving several buildings in need of urgent repairs. During the inspection, Dr. Magashi interacted with staff and female inmates while assessing the extent of the destruction.

He observed that the rainstorm had blown off the roofs of several female accommodation blocks, while sections of the perimeter fence had collapsed, creating serious safety and security concerns for the facility.

In response to the situation, Dr. Magashi commended the Kano State Emergency Management Agency for its swift intervention, particularly the decision to temporarily relocate all female inmates to a dedicated and secured section within the Bichi Male Rehabilitation Centre.

Advert

According to SEMA, the temporary relocation was undertaken to safeguard the lives and welfare of the inmates while rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged facility are carried out.

Dr. Magashi described the agency’s response as timely and necessary, noting that the safety and well-being of vulnerable persons in government care should remain a top priority.

He also pledged to support SEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in convening a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the incident and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across rehabilitation centres in the state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity to mobilize additional support from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to improve SEMA’s capacity in managing the 13 rehabilitation centres under its supervision.

Dr. Magashi highlighted his continued commitment to supporting humanitarian interventions across Kano State, recalling that he had previously visited six of the state’s 13 rehabilitation centres where he donated drugs and food items to inmates.

He added that he had also sponsored a one-day capacity-building training for health workers serving in the rehabilitation centres to improve healthcare delivery to inmates.

The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing him to serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.If you’d like, I can also make it follow the exact Nigerian Tracker house style with a stronger lead, subhead, and editor-ready formatting.

Continue Reading

Trending