Shape up: No room in FESCO for black sheep, says CEO

Lalian Division XEN suspended for poor performance

FAISALABAD: Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) CEO Rasheed Ahmed Aslam suspended the Lalian division executive engineer (XEN) for poor performance, Fesco Spokesperson Tahir Shaikh said on Thursday.

The XEN has been told to report to the Fesco headquarters, he said.

On Thursday, Aslam visited five operation divisions of the Fesco’s second circle – Tandlianwala, Samundari, Peoples’ Colony, Ghulam Muhammad Abad and Nazimbad. He spoke to the staff there and warned them that he would not tolerate “black sheep”.

The Fesco chief reviewed the performance of each division. He said there could be no compromise on ensuring accuracy in mobile meter reading. “This is an important step in ensuring transparency…anyone found to be manipulating mobile meter reading data would be sent packing.” The CEO censured certain sub divisional officers at the five divisions and gave them warnings. He also set new targets for recovery and line losses for XENs and SDOs. Aslam later spoke at safety seminars organised by Fesco in Peoples Colony, GM Abad and Nazimabad division. He said strict departmental action would be initiated against officials neglecting safety measures.

“We should be able to ensure the safety of every employee…there can be no excuse in case of accidents or loss of life. Blame will be fixed and we will take action against the officer in charge.”

Aslam said that the department spent millions of rupees each year on safety equipment.

Separately, Fesco Spokesperson Tahir Shaikh issued a statement in response to a news report that claimed that the Fesco was responsible for a delay in providing power to the Faisalabad Development Authority City.

Shaikh said electricity had been already provided to Blocks A and F of the FDA City. He said two new grid stations of 132-KV capacity were required for FDA City. The Fesco has completed the feasibility reports and drawing of the grid stations, he said. The estimated cost of the installations is around Rs1.22 billion. “The Fesco will start the construction of both grid stations following payment in lieu of demand notices and required land from the FDA administration.” He said the FDA had provided land for one grid station but the payment was still pending.He also said that the Fesco administration had obtained special approval from the Fesco board of directors to provide phase-wise electricity to facilitate the FDA City plot holders.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2016.