The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) has raised the alarm over increasing resistance to the installation of prepaid meters by churches, mosques and grinding machine operators in Gombe State, saying the development is contributing to massive revenue losses across its network.

Speaking on Sunday with Arewa PUNCH, the Head of Corporate Services of JEDC, Musa Abdullahi, described the opposition, largely driven by social media campaigns as surprising and counterproductive.

“There is an issue trending on social media concerning the metering of churches, mosques, and grinding machine operators. Some of them are opposed to the metering of their business centres,” Abdullahi said.

He expressed disappointment that religious institutions, which preach honesty and moral discipline, would resist a system designed to ensure transparent billing.

“The two religions preach against stealing and encourage worshipping God with one’s resources.

It is therefore surprising that worship centres are resisting a device that accurately measures their actual electricity consumption,” he noted.

Abdullahi explained that JEDC operates strictly as a utility provider and does not discriminate among customers, stressing,

“We are a utility company that sells electricity to consumers. Electricity does not recognise worship centres or markets. Everyone is treated as a consumer,” he said.

According to him, churches and mosques are categorised as high-demand customers due to the heavy electrical load required during worship activities.

“Worship centres consume significant power because of their load. It is only fair that our Imams and Pastors encourage the installation of prepaid meters so that actual consumption can be properly determined,” he added.

Abdullahi further revealed that the company is grappling with a huge gap between energy supplied and revenue collected, running into hundreds of millions of naira monthly.

“In August, we received 19.58 million kilowatt-hours of energy, which translated to N1.57 billion at 70 per cent billing efficiency after removing 30 per cent. However, we collected only N744 million, losing over N800 million,” he disclosed.

The JEDC Head of Corporate Services added that the trend continued in September and worsened in October.

“In September, we received 20.22 million kilowatt-hours, valued at N1.67 billion, but collected just N757 million, again, losing about N800 million. In October, we received 25.26 million kilowatt-hours worth N1.86 billion, yet collections dropped to N694 million. This decline is indefensible,” Abdullahi stated.

He stressed that prepaid metering remains the most reliable tool for transparency, accountability, and sustainability in electricity supply, thus urging all consumers – religious and commercial alike to support the initiative. (The PUNCH)