Finally, FG’s meter roll-out kicks off in FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger

• About 900,000 Customers Scheduled For Metering Under AEDC
• Banks To Assist Them Procure Meters

Roll out of prepaid electricity meter, under the Federal Government’s Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) policy, kicked off yesterday in Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The scheme, designed by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), had experience series of delay, with the month of May first being the last date set by the regulator before taking off yesterday with Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), under a partnership with a local meter companies- Mojec International Limited, Turbo Energy Limited and Meron Nigeria Limited

Chairman of NERC, James Momoh, said the move would drastically reduce estimated billing of customer by distribution companies (DisCos) and ensure revenue assurance to address the financial liquidity in the power sector.

He stated that the development would equally create a competitive metering service in the power sector through the introduction of new players and attract private investors.

Momoh, who was represented by a Director in the Commission, Abdulkadir Shettima, added that the new development would create jobs and therefore bridge the country’s unemployment challenges.

In response to some stakeholders’ complaint that stakeholder consultation was not properly done, Momoh said: “In designing this regulation, a lot of planning was put in place and a lot of consultations were done to have the customers at the centre of the scheme. There were clear responsibilities for the parties involved, including the distribution companies, the MAPs and the customers.”

He said meters must be provided to consumers in 10 days after payment, otherwise, the providers would be sanctioned, stressing that payment guarantee has been put in place for the customers to be reimbursed, should the providers failed “even by one day.”

Momoh said for the entire 10 years period of the metering scheme, faulty meters must be replaced in two days, otherwise the customers would not remit monthly meter charge payment.

Managing Director of AEDC Plc, Ernest Mupwaya, said while Mojec would handle Abuja and Kogi State, Turbo would operate in Niger State and Meron in Nasarawa State, adding that about 900,000 customers have been scheduled for metering in AEDC franchise area in the first instance.

“Being a moving target, we are aware that the number may increase and as it does, the vendors will take them along,” he said.

According to him, the pedigree of the vendors approved for AEDC by the regulator is well known and the Commission was optimistic that they would deliver on the project.

Managing Director and Chief Executive of Mojec, Chantelle Abdu, said banks have been enlisted to provide financial assistance to Nigerians who are unable to pay for the meters at a go.