The Managing Director and CEO of Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), Engr. Abdulrahman Isa, has revealed that the escalating rate of vandalism is the primary challenge facing the company in its bid to provide steady electricity across its franchise areas. Engr. Isa disclosed this during a recent sensitization engagement with stakeholders at the Fombina Emirate Council in Adamawa State.
According to Engr. Isa, within the last year, YEDC has recorded 37 cases of vandalism, with the Yobe region accounting for the highest number, registering 20 incidents. He added that YEDC has prosecuted 12 of these cases, and the culprits are currently serving jail terms.
Engr. Isa lamented that vandalism severely disrupts service delivery, leading to significant financial losses for the company and contributing to the region’s erratic electricity distribution. Each act of vandalism impacts not just the company but the entire community, reducing our ability to deliver reliable power, Isa explained.
Engr. Isa also addressed questions surrounding the ongoing power supply challenges, citing the rising costs of generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity. He provided a clear example, stating that delivering 1 kWh of power to Adamawa costs ₦214, yet under the government's previous subsidy program, the highest tariff the company could collect ranged between ₦50 and ₦56.
However, since the removal of the electricity subsidy in April 2024, consumers in areas with good infrastructure classified as Band A feeders now pay tariffs of over ₦214, reflecting the actual cost of power. Other bands, however, still enjoy some subsidy relief.
Engr. Isa acknowledged the broader economic challenges affecting the power sector, noting a significant drop in purchasing power for consumers, which has affected YEDC’s ability to collect sufficient revenue. This drop has created a bottleneck, limiting the company's ability to pay generating companies, which directly impacts the availability of power for distribution.
We are caught in the middle, Isa said, referring to the company's obligation to purchase and distribute energy while grappling with the same economic pressures consumers face. This situation has led to recent reductions in power supply across YEDC's franchise areas.
Representing the Lamido of Adamawa, Walin Adamawa, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir Mbamba, expressed empathy towards YEDC’s plight. He acknowledged that the government’s transition from subsidized electricity tariffs to a non-subsidy regime was poorly executed, further straining companies like YEDC.
Walin Adamawa urged YEDC to invest in staff training, especially for marketers who interact with customers, many of whom have had negative experiences with YEDC personnel. He emphasized that improving customer relations through diplomacy, dialogue, persuasion, and conflict management skills would enhance the company’s business potential and build better rapport with consumers.
Vandalism, coupled with economic pressures and rising costs, continues to cripple YEDC’s efforts to provide reliable electricity across its franchise regions. However, with improved governance, staff training, and strengthened community engagement, there is hope that YEDC can overcome these challenges to provide more consistent and affordable power in the future.