Unauthorized meter replacements: MPHERA triumphs over KAEDCO

By Saidu Abubakar, Kaduna

Pursuant to their legitimate course of refusing unlawful replacement of meters undertaken by the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc, residents of the MPHERA franchise area at the Millennium City in Kaduna, have succeeded in securing a HALT order from the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).

In a written notification of the stoppage order to his co-residents of the area, the community’s chairman, Muhammed Suraj Yusuf, PhD, stated that “A VINDICATION OF MPH & OTHER AFFECTED ESTATES IN OUR RESISTANCE AGAINST UNLAWFUL METER REPLACEMENT BY KADUNA ELECTRIC”

Continuing, he said: “As part of our collective effort to seek justice and address the intimidation, unlawful actions, and regulatory violations by Kaduna Electric (KE), we wrote to several national regulatory and oversight agencies requesting urgent intervention. One of these agencies is the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) Headquarters, Abuja.

“We are pleased to inform you that NEMSA has officially written to Kaduna Electric in response to our petition. In their letter, NEMSA:
• Cited specific regulations and provisions that Kaduna Electric has violated,
• Confirmed many of the concerns we have consistently raised, and
• Issued a directive to Kaduna Electric to immediately suspend all decommissioning and replacement of meters.

He noted that “this is a major vindication of our stand as a community, and of other neighbouring estates who also resisted the unlawful meter replacement exercise.

It further means that the total blackout enforced on the entire residents for 22 days (and counting) — causing unnecessary hardship, emotional stress and economic losses — was unjustifiable and unlawful.

“We deeply appreciate the resilience, discipline, sacrifices and unity demonstrated by all residents, especially those who trusted the process and stood firm despite the pressure, adding that we are very close to achieving full resolution, In sha Allah. Let us remain united and patient as the final regulatory steps unfold. Together, we stand stronger, “he assured.