The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has expressed its readiness to start installing prepaid meters for customers within its network.
Spokesman for EKEDC, Mr. Godwin Idemudia, who stated this on Thursday, said the Meter Assess Providers scheme would address some of the challenges associated with the metering gap within its areas of coverage.
He said the MAP initiatives would bridge the metering gap, adding that MAP was introduced by federal government to address metering related problems.
It is a welcome development. This would be a new dawn in the power sector.
“Government should be commended for the initiative geared towards ending metering gap in the country and ensuring all electricity consumers within the Discos are metered to abolish estimated billings.
EKEDC is fully ready for MAP. With the MAP project on, we strongly believe the metering issues will be addressed, while estimated billings will also be fully addressed when meters are available.
“All areas of our network are a potential pilot scheme for MAP.
“Government appointed the vendors for the MAP programme to drive the project,’ said Idemudia without putting time to the commencement of the programme.
Thereafter, he lauded the judiciary for their prompt judgment on vandals, adding that many vandals had been prosecuted and got judgement.
He said that the debts of ministries, departments and agencies debts were running into billions, adding that the management was doing a lot to recover the debts.
“We have metered considerable numbers of customers since 2013 in thousands.
“We do not consider many hindrances or challenges in the ongoing MAP scheme. But…are Nigerians ready to pay for meters?
“The issue is either you pay outright for the meters or pay in installments over a period of 10 years,’’ he said.
It would be recalled that on April 5, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) issued permits to Meter Asset Providers to roll-out new meters not later than May 1, 2019.
Spokesman for the agency, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi, did inform DisCos customers to expect the commencement of rollout date for meters to be installed in their premises within 10 working days of making payment to MAPs in accordance with Section 18 (3) of the MAP Regulations 2018.
He said the Commission would monitor closely the rollout plan of distribution licensees and overall compliance with the regulation and various service agreements by the MAPs and electricity distribution licensees.
With NAN report
