By
Gloria Abutu
The Yola Electricity Distribution Company, YEDC has installed a 500KVA Capacity transformer in Shagari phase 1, Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa state with a call on the beneficiaries to protect the facility against vandalism.
Speaking during an engagement with members of the Shagari community during the installation of the transformer, the Business Manager BM, Yola-Yelwa Business Unit, Hajiya Maryam Gabdo noted that most parts of the area has been metered and cautioned the people against illegal connections and theft of power installations.
According to her, “Shagari is one of the areas that we first metered, even before the last NMMP and this is one of the areas that we have many people that are vending.”
The BM who advised the community to protect the facility, reiterated commitment of the YEDC towards providing improved services to the people.
Speaking on her expectations from members of the community, she said, “We have been having issues of vandalisation, so what we want from them is first, to get security; to stop bypassing; and to prevent the issue of hanging cables to steal electricity especially at night. If they can do these, there will be greater impact for their own benefit.”
“As a matter of fact, we are still expecting more transformers for other communities who applied”, she added.
Earlier, the YEDC Technical Engineer, Yelwa Business Unit, Mohammed Lawal Umar who explained that the new transformer is an innovative model, pointed out that the company is leveraging on technology to meet the increasing demands of its customers.
“We are gathered here in this community to celebrate the installation of a brand new transformer given to them by the management of YEDC. The former transformer was more bulky than this. This one looks smaller because of advancement in technology. Meanwhile, It has 500kva capacity just like the old one,” he noted
Secretary of the Shagari community, Dan Tumba while appreciating the YEDC for speedily granting their request, assured the company of the security of the transformer.
“We are very appreciative of the YEDC because when the old transformer blew up, we went to the top management, and without much delay, the reception given us was cordial and we were asked to put our request in writing. This is the second week, and we have received the transformer, so we are very grateful to the management of the company.
Reacting to cases of vandalisation of power installations, he said, “We are aware of the issue of vandalism in other communities, but not in Shagari. This transformer that got burnt was installed in 1983. We have a neighborhood watch, a vigilante group. Vandalism is not part of this community because of the security measures put in place.”
“99 percent of our houses are metred, so there is no case of illegal tapping here in Shagari”, he added.
Other community members who spoke during the engagement were full of gratitude to the YEDC for the transformer which according to them, is a replacement of the old one which had served the community for about 40 years.
In view of the current economic realities, they urged the company to duly notify customers of new developments such as hike in electricity tariff and prolonged power outage.
