The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has finalised arrangements put in place to install about 900,000 free meters for customers under its area of jurisdictional boundaries, in the next eighteen months.
Engr. Ernest Mupwaya, Managing Director of AEDC, revealed that the meters being delivered under the National Mass Metering Program (NMMP) will commence the installation of about 101,000 free meters to customers from now till December 2021.
Engr. Mupwaya disclosed that about an estimate of N23 billion was apportioned to procure the 900,000 meters while the 101,000 cost the company a sum of N6 billion.
Engr. Mupwaya in his statement said, ‘The significance of this program is that it has been designed with sufficient resources to meter all customers.’
‘Between now and December 2021, AEDC has planned to install over 101,000 meters at a cost of N6bn 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.’
He proceeded by saying that, ‘The 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 noted that, ‘massive metering will create jobs through installation and inspections of meters after installations.’
Highlighting that, ‘other jobs will be created in meter manufacturing, logistics and supply chains associated with making meters available in Nigeria.’
He also added that, ‘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, however, implored Nigerians to ‘…accept the meters and resist any attempt by unscrupulous people who may approach them, with an offer to compromise the meters.’ Stressing that, ‘The Nigerian 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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Dr. Tom Adaba, an elder statesmen and pioneer Director General of Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), also urged key players in the sector to work in allinace with other relevant agencies to so as to ensure adequate and effective power supply across the country.
Nike Adesanya