The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said it is set to receive a total of 900,000 meters, at the cost of N23 billion sufficient to meter all customers including replacement of defective meters.
Further, AEDC disclosed that as it launched National Mass Metering Program at Gaduwa Estate, Apo Abuja, it would between now and December 2021 AEDC install over 101,000 meters at a cost of
N6 billion without charging customers.
AEDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ernest Mupwaya revealed these while speaking at the flag-off of National Free Mass Metering Program Tuesday.
He explained that the significance of the National Mass Metering Program is that it has been designed with sufficient resources to meter all customers.
According to him, “The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) who has 40% shareholding, have sourced sufficient funding to support discos through a low interest shareholder loan that will make it possible for Discos to receive sufficient meters to close the metering gap for good.
Over the years, the company has embarked on various metering initiatives such as CAPMI and MAP. These programs have achieved some successes that resulted metering of over 300,000 customers.
“Currently, with the flag-off of this National Free Mass Program, AEDC will receive a total of 900,000 meters, at the cost of N23 billion which will be sufficient to meter all customers including replacement of defective meters. Between now and December 2021 AEDC has planned to install over 101,000 meters at a cost of
N6 billion without charging customers.
“The rest of the meters will be installed 18 months after, through a comprehensive role out program that will result in simultaneous installations in all three states of Niger, Kogi and Nassarawa in addition to FCT.”
The AEDC Managing Director while commenting on the impact of metering noted that metering of customers have a huge positive implication not only to the electricity industry but to the entire economy in a number of ways.
He enumerated that massive metering would create jobs through installation and inspections of meters after installations, adding that there would be other jobs to be created in meter manufacturing, logistics and supply chains associated with making meters available in Nigeria.
On services to the customers, Mupwaya said that massive metering will improve the transparency in electricity transaction which will result in increased revenues that can be channeled into service improvement.
“Improved Services will support improved economic activities that will impact both informal and formal sectors. This will lead to electricity industry transformation along with numerous spillover effect to the economy”, he said.
He appealed to customers to accept the meters and resist any attempt by unscrupulous people who may approach them, with an offer to compromise the meters.
The AEDC Managing Director also reminded the customers that the regulator, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has put in place punitive penalties for those caught bypassing the meter to the extent that the fines override the perceived benefit apart from damaging the good working relationship with the discos.
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