JOS ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY: LEARNING CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP THE HARD WAY

By Nnabugwu Chizoba

For the second time in one month, the customers of Jos Electricity Distribution Company have embarked on a public protest, to register their frustrations in the hands of the Jos DISCO. 

In the early hours of 13th March, 2017, residents of "Federal Low Cost", Jos, the Plateau State capital, took a protest march to the Tudunwada Office of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), covering their area, for what some of the protesters considered as poor service delivery, highhandedness and unprecedented very high tariff charges, by the Electricity Company.

Speaking to our reporter, one of the protesters and also a landlord living at the federal low cost, from where the protesters took off, blamed the JEDC for the protest which he said was avoidable. “JEDC should be blamed for being irrational, inconsiderate and undiplomatic in their dealings with electricity consumers in the area. 

Can you imagine them, the company deliberately cutting residents of federal low cost off from the national grid, because they (residents of the area) called for a meeting with the authorities, to dialogue over the nagging issues observed in the operations of the company that include the circulation of un-calibrated meters, high tariff regime, paying for services not consumed and treating people as if they are slaves. The idea of course is reach a consensus before they go on with their so called innovations, which to us are anti-people”. He concluded.

Another protester Mr. Ajiji Solomon, a retired civil servant, who collaborated the first speaker, sited arrogance and impunity on the part of the electricity company, as some of the reasons for the protest.

“It is quite worrisome that the JEDC, now adopts threat, force, intimidation and frustration of electricity consumers as instrument of management and customer relationship. Rather than rely on the numerous opportunities made available by the residents of Federal low cost, Jos, to seek a common ground in the settlement of issues raised by the residents, I mean their customers for that matter, the JEDC, always adopt what at best, is seen and considered as very primitive and almost clandestine methods in their dealings with the customer”. Another protester Mr. Timothy Ogundele said.

You will recall that your dependable platformbrought you a report, precisely on the 16th of February, 2017, that a total breakdown or collapse of the entire economic system in Jos, Plateau state was averted because of the maturity, commitment, ingenuity, astute leadership style and skillful relationship disposition in dealing with people and situations exhibited by the leadership of a coalition of Civil Society organizations that took to the street to protest what they saw as ill treatment and poor customer handling by the JEDC. The protest march embarked upon by the coalition, ended at the headquarters of JEDC, at Rwam Pam Street, Jos. 

Like the protest by the coalition of civil society groups, the one embarked upon by the residents of Federal low cost, Jos, witnessed massive turnout and active participation, by residents of the area, which include mainly the private people, some of them legal practitioners, pharmacists, engineers, architects, surveyors, and the artisans like the mechanics, welders, tricycle and taxi operators, provision shop owners, barbers, hair dressers, both male and female that comprised the young and the old, and of course retirees. 

Before the protesters dispersed, the management of the JEDC, at Tudunwada led by Mr. Ayo took the protest letter, which was later signed, stamped and acknowledgement copy returned to the protesters, with the assurance that the management will look into their grievances.