The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has reiterated its commitment to providing improved metering services by directing Metre Asset Providers (MAP) vendors to maintain a minimum stock of 2,000 smart prepaid metres before commencing sales and installations for new customers.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of EKEDC, Rekhiat Momoh, conveyed this directive during the company’s engagement forum with customers, represented by Samuel Edoho, EKEDC’s General Manager, Commercial (Revenue Cycle), on Friday.
Momoh highlighted that this initiative precedes the relaunch of the prepaid metre scheme and aims to streamline the procurement and distribution process, thereby enhancing efficiency and reliability.
She emphasised EKEDC’s commitment to facilitating a seamless experience for customers seeking prepaid metres, following the deregulation of MAP smart metering prices by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Momoh stressed the importance of new and existing MAP vendors maintaining a substantial inventory of prepaid metres, subject to physical verification by EKEDC, before accepting payments from customers.
The priority for EKEDC, Momoh emphasised, is the accelerated installation of prepaid metres for customers who have made payments but are yet to be metered.
She elaborated on NERC’s deregulation of smart metre prices under the MAP scheme, effective May 1, 2024, enabling customers to procure metres from vendors of their choice at competitive market prices determined through transparent bidding frameworks.
Furthermore, Momoh disclosed ongoing customer enumeration to determine the number of unmetered customers, particularly those in Band A, and outlined conditions for MAP vendors, including the clearance of outstanding metres before selling to new customers and adherence to specific registration standards.
Regarding metre installations, Momoh clarified that the Nigerian Electricity Consumers Advocacy Network (NECAN) is solely authorised to install prepaid metres for new customers or those separating from existing properties, while existing customers may experience installation delays due to inspections and enumeration.
Addressing concerns about vandalism and theft of distribution equipment, Momoh emphasised EKEDC’s unwavering stance against energy theft and metre tampering, imposing penalties and sanctions on offenders, and seeking legal measures to recover lost revenue.
She solicited customers’ support in preventing vandalism and theft, highlighting EKEDC’s collaboration with security agencies to safeguard electricity equipment and urging prompt reporting of suspicious activities to prevent disruptions.
Momoh also addressed customer demands for Band A upgrades, affirming EKEDC’s commitment to migrating all customers to higher service levels, contingent on meeting NERC’s service level mandates.
Additionally, she emphasised investments in enhancing power supply reliability, particularly in the Victoria Island-Lagos Island axis, through bilateral power arrangements and generation to ensure sustainability and maximise available grid capacity.
Regarding feeder downgrades, Babatunde Lasaki, EKEDC’s General Manager of Corporate Communication, explained NERC’s authority to downgrade a feeder’s service level if it fails to meet minimum supply thresholds, ensuring customers are charged appropriately and focusing on equipment improvement.
Gbadebo Akinyele, EKEDC’s Head of Metering, announced the deregulation of metering under the MAP scheme, empowering vendors to determine costs, with options ranging from N45,000 for single-phase metres to N70,000 to N80,000 for double-phase metres, subject to monthly adjustments based on foreign exchange rates.