…Commission directs roll-out of meters not later than 1st of May
By Seun Adams
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said that it has issued permits to Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED), Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IEDC) and Meter Asset Providers (MAPs).
The General Manager, Public Affairs Department of the commission, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi, in a statement made available to the media, said this is in accordance with section 4(3) of the MAP Regulations- NERC- R-112 of 2018, to MAPs that were successful in the procurement conducted by the 4 Discos.
According to him, Section 4(3) of the MAP Regulation 2018 requires all electricity distribution licensees to engage MAPs that would assist, as investors, in closing the metering gap and thus eliminating the practice of estimated billing in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
He said: “PHED has appointed Armese Consulting Ltd and Holley Metering Ltd, YEDC has Chris Ejik International Agencies Ltd, EEDC appointed Mojec International Ltd, while IBEDC appointed CWG Plc, Integrated Resources Ltd, Mojec International Ltd, Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Ltd, New Hampshire Capital Ltd, Protogy Global Services Ltd and Tinuten Nigeria Ltd respectively to provide meters within their respective franchise under MAP.
The Commission, he said has directed that the rollout of meters shall commence no later than the 1st of May. Customers of Disco’s should expect from 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.
MAPs shall charge an upfront amount of N36,991.50 for single phase meters and N67,055.85 for three phase meters respectively, adding that these costs of meters are inclusive of supply, installation, maintenance and replacement of meters over its technical life.
The Commission shall monitor closely the roll-out plan of distribution licensees and overall compliance with the regulation and various service agreements by the MAP and electricity distribution licensees.