Ahmadu Bello University Committees Deliver Reports Addressing Energy Challenges

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, marked a significant step in confronting its energy-related hurdles as three specialized committees recently submitted comprehensive reports to the university's management.

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The three separate committees, set up by the Management of Ahmadu Bello University to identify the sources of wastages and leakages of energy, conduct an audit of electrical energy usage, as well as ascertain the energy consumption of the University, have submitted their respective reports.

The committees were raised shortly after a stakeholders meeting convened by the University Management on 11th April, 2023 following challenges faced by the institution in paying huge electricity bills amid paucity of funds.

The committees are as follows: Energy Conservation and Awareness Committee, Energy Audit Committee, as well as Electricity Power Supply and Dispute Resolution Committee.

The Energy Conservation and Awareness Committee, chaired by Prof. Mohammed Bello, recommended, among others, the immediate replacement of all non-energy efficient devices and equipment in the University as well as reconfiguration of the 11KV University network and constitution of “sound electricity policy compliance task force.”

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It also recommended the separation of the University electricity network into residential, academic, hostels, institutes and centres, as well as installation of MD meters in all faculties, hostels, institutes and centres to allow for efficient monitoring.

The Energy Audit Committee, which was headed by Prof. Saleh A. Ado, advised, among others, that the University should invite Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to check the calibration of all meters (prepaid and MD meters) to ascertain their integrity.

It also suggested that the University should set up a monitoring team to determine energy theft in residential and business areas from time to time.

The Committee further recommended that appropriate punitive measures should be taken against the defaulters ranging from disconnection and fines/payment of reconnection fee for first time offenders and revocation of house or shop allocation for serial defaulters.

Equally, the Committee on Electricity Power Supply and Dispute Resolution, chaired by Prof. Ahmed Bello, recommended, among others, that the University Management should set up a standing committee on electricity supply and related matters.

The proposed standing committee, it said, should consist of experts on electricity/economics/finance from within and outside the University who should design an electricity power roadmap.

The Committee also suggested that the University should be proactive in sourcing power directly from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) which will reduce the bills of the University by half.

It further recommended that the University should encourage academic departments to conduct tailor-made research on energy sustainability in the University and that a dedicated account for electricity payment (collection) should be established.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, expressed the University’s immense appreciation to members of the Committees for accepting to serve and for jobs done.

The Vice-Chancellor, who received the reports alongside some members of the Management, stressed that the University Management would study the reports thoroughly with a view to taking necessary measures towards resolving the University electricity problems.

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Public Affairs Directorate ,

Office of the Vice-Chancellor,

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Sunday, 7th January, 2024