The Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) in collaboration with the Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited has organized a two-day workshop for Magistrates and Special Taskforce on vandalism, electricity theft and other related matters.

The two days workshop which held at the KERC headquarters in Lokoja, is aimed at strengthening the knowledge and skills of the participants on critical issues related to electricity theft and vandalism, its impact, detection and prosecution.

The workshop themed,” Effective Prosecution of Electricity Theft; Evidence Collection, Documentation and Legal Procedures”, had resource persons drawn from the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited, State Ministry of Justice as well as Kogi state Judiciary.

Chairman/CEO Engr. Ibrahim S. Abdwaaris in his welcoming address emphasized that the workshop is aptly organized to provide the requisite training required to arm the Magistrate and the special task force teams to deliver their assigned duties. The workshop is aimed at building the investment confidence, stamp out illegal energy theft and safe guarding the power infrastructure in Kogi state.

Engr Abdwaaris noted that licenses, such as the one granted to KEDL, are crucial to this effort and that the Commission is committed to ensuring that investors are supported by law and enforced effectively.

“We want to assure investors that their investments in Kogi state are safe and will be protected in line Kogi state electricity law’’.he said.

“The workshop focused on strengthening knowledge of the Community Market structure and key players, enhancing evidence collection and documentation skills, and equipping task force members with technical and legal tools”.

He encouraged participants to participate actively, share their experiences, and leave the workshop with a new commitment to the shared mission of building a thriving electricity market in Kogi State.

The Chairman/CEO of KERC who highlighted the importance of collaboration and commitment to achieving goals, noted that by working together, stakeholders can promote investment confidence and demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding the electricity market from illegal practices. “Let us be focused and committed to achieving our goals,” he urged participants.

Engr Abdwaaris thanked participants for their support and encouraged them to listen attentively to presentations, share their ideas, and participate actively in the workshop.

In his remark, the Acting Managing Director of Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited, Mr. Olaseni Agunpopo stated that the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission is deliberate about improving the market, which will obviously bring about more investors into the state, and eventually improve power supply.

Mr Olaseni expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the workshop and assured attendees that it would be a rewarding session.

Engr. Michael Meliga, Commissioner for Engineering, Performance, and Monitoring from KERC, provided a comprehensive overview of the Kogi electricity sector, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

He emphasized the importance of effective regulation and monitoring to prevent energy theft and vandalism, and ensuring the sustainability of the electricity market.

Prof. Ibrahim Abdulkarim, Commissioner for Legal,
Licensing and Compliance also of KERC, in his presentation, spoke on the legal framework for addressing vandalism, theft, and related offenses, highlighting the role of the special task force and the court.

He pointed out the importance of understanding the structure and roles of key players, enhancing evidence collection skills, and promoting investment confidence.

Dr. Abdulsalam Yusuf, Commissioner for Market Competition and Rate whose presentation centered on understanding energy losses, the role of the special task force, prevention, detection, and enforcement, enjoined KEDL to be more innovative to curb losses.

Others who made presentation at the workshop are the Magistrate of the Special Court Mrs Ajagu Oyiza Josephine Abedoh, Director Legal Drafting, Ministry of Justice Barrister M A Okpanachi, and Engr Emmanuel Ogwuche Chief Regulatory and Efficiency officer Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.

At the end of the workshop, certificates of participation were given to the attendees by the Chairman/CEO of KERC, Engr Ibrahim S. Abdwaaris.