By Kingsley Chukwuka
The Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc has solicited the cooperation of the judiciary and the Directorate of State Security (DSS) to tackle energy crimes in its areas of operation.
The call was made Thursday by the Managing Director of the company, Engr Abdu Bello Mohammed when he paid a courtesy call to the Plateau State Chief Judge, Justice David Mann and the State Director of DSS, Albert in their respective offices in Jos.
Engr. Mohammed who accentuated the dangers posed by the energy depredators told the Chief Judge that there was the need for expeditious disposition of cases regarding vandalism and energy thefts brought before judges in the state.
According to him, “vandalism leads to willful destruction of the company assets just as it also obliterates economic and social life of the affected communities. It is therefore a crime against society. And so, we should collectively fight against it to stamp it out, hence your maximum cooperation is required”.
Mohammed explained that even though the energy sector has gone through a transformation in consonance with the privatisation policy of the federal government, disclosed that members of the public still view the company as Nigeria Electricity Power Authority (NEPA).
To change this perception, Engr Mohammed promised to organise workshops and seminars for judicial officers in the company’s franchise States to keep them abreast with the legal and regulatory framework of the reform power sector.
Responding, the Chief Judge of Plateau State, Justice David Mann who said that the judiciary in the state has been doing its best in the area of the dispensation of Justice disclosed that he has initiated some reforms that would expedite the dispensation of justice which would benefit the company.
According to him: “Presently, there are number of measures put in place to ensure that justice is expedited. We are in the process of digitising our operations here.
“We are establishing a small claims court. When designated across the state, it will take care of cases that have to do with N5,000,000 claims. This will lead to the decongestion of the courts for more cases to be heard by the high courts. It will help ease doing business. I am sure that your organisation will be one of those that will benefit from this”, the Chief Judge said.
On his part, the Director of DSS, Albert Ogbole who thanked the Managing Director for the visit praised the electricity distribution firm for what he described as a stable power supply in the state.
He said the service would do all within its mandate to support the company in its quest to tackle the menace of vandalism and energy theft.