Bridging the Metering Gap
Ikeja Electric Plc has accelerated the distribution of prepaid metres in various areas under its jurisdiction, reports Rebecca Ejifoma
Ikeja Electric will sustain the metering exercise in an equitable manner such that all category of customers in its network that are yet to be metered, will definitely benefit from the roll out plan
For decades, estimated billing had been the practice across Nigeria, until the recent power reform trends which saw, among other changes, the rollout of prepaid meters for better metering of electricity consumption. However, despite the introduction of the new metres, it has been hard for many electricity consumers to access them. The accessibility problem has been a major bane of the new system.
While some areas enjoy the gains of the prepaid meter, which is pay-as-you-go, others are not so fortunate, as they are made to pay bills that are estimated, which are often hiked beyond their monthly consumption. It was in a bid to bridge this disparity in metering that Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) initiated an aggressive metering drive in their areas of responsibility.
Contrary to claims that there is a deliberate hoarding of meters, the Distribution Company (Disco) says the distribution of prepaid meters even allows them room for remote data access and vending, which in turn contributes significantly to the energy conservation advocacy of IE. Also reputed to be largely tamper-proof, the meters also help them deal with recurrent cases of illegal meter bypass, energy theft and other illegal issues that have plagued them with regard to older and less secure meters that rely on estimated billing.
Promise Kept In line with the promise to carry out aggressive metering, over 85,000 meters were billed to be installed in the first roll out phase, which will take place concurrently across the six Business Units in IE’s coverage area. However, the roll out is different from the MAPS roll out agenda under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Meter Asset Provision Regulation Approval by the federal government, set to commence towards the end of the year.
From Apata to Oguntolu, Shipeolu, Bailey Streets and environs in Shomolu area, as well as Lasisi-Oshoja and Ore-Ofe streets in Idimu, among several other areas, have all tasted of the metering project.
In July this year, IE commenced the distribution of single and three phase prepaid meters across its network. This was in fulfilment of its promise to ensure that its customers are metered, thereby reducing the incidence of estimated billing. Thus, the first batch of meters was delivered by Mojec International Ltd, MBH Power and Beacon Power Services Ltd.
Some of the residents metered commended the process. According to them, it has not just put an end to estimated billing, it has also minimised disagreement between the power firm and the people in the communities, and encouraged energy efficiency.
Metering Process Given that the distribution of metre is free, an installation cost may however apply. In one of their stakeholders summit, Head, I.E. Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, had explained that customers would receive meters in line with a schedule of distribution that was feeder based, after they had filled out the application form which is available at any IE’s offices and the official website at www.ikejaelectric.com.
According to him, once the customer's application have been approved, their locations surveyed, the next thing is to carry out relevant technical assessments before the technical partners overseeing each specific location will handle installation of the meters.
Commendation In reaction to the on-going metering exercise across its network, customers of IE have commended the leading electricity distribution company for redeeming its promise to bridge the metering gap, while also expressing delight at the improvement in power supply within its area of coverage. Chairman of Shomolu Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Oduguwa Adedapo, made the commendation during a recent on-the-site visit by IE to Shomolu.
According to Adedapo, IE has embarked on massive deployment of meters to Shomolu and its environs. He said the exercise was a laudable achievement. He further urged IE to ensure that all houses in the area were provided with prepaid meters.
Adedapo said, “While commending the company, I also want to advise the company to ensure that migration of customers to the prepayment metering is made a lot easier by looking into the contentious issues relating to outstanding electricity bills. This will enable customers migrate immediately to recharge after exhausting the initial token in the meter."
In a similar vein, the president of Co-operative Society of the Association of Printers in Shomolu, Chief Babajide Mark Anthony, expressed joy at the new development and confirmed that the association was ready to cooperate with IE to ensure smooth operation. He advised the Disco to fast-track the installation of meters and also attend to minor complaints in time in order to build more trust and instil confidence in the customers.
Equality in Roll-out Plan IE’s Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, reiterated the Disco’s position that it will sustain the metering exercise in an equitable manner such that all categories of customers in IE’s network that are yet to be metered will definitely benefit from the roll out plan.
Asset Compromise However, the company spokesman expressed concern about the trend of asset compromise being witnessed in some of the areas that have already been metered.
According to him, “Our records reveal that a lot of customers who were recently metered, especially in Shomolu and environs, have not vended or purchased units on their meters, several weeks after exhausting the initial token. Typically, this is the process that should follow after the complimentary units on the prepaid meter have been exhausted. This is a worrisome."
He called on metered customers to resist the urge to bypass meters, saying they should rather manage their energy consumption prudently. He also warned that IE would apply the authorised sanctions against any customer who engaged in the act of meter bypassing.
Dialogue Responding to comments relating to improved supply across its network coverage area, Ofulue pointed out that IE customers will continue to experience improvements in supply. But he pleaded with customers to ensure that they settle their bills promptly. He called on customers who had queries about their bills to adopt dialogue, rather than aggression as a resolution channel, so all disputes could be settled amicably.
Ofulue advised customers to channel their complaints concerning metering through customercare@ikejaelectric.com, or call IE Customer Care Hotlines: 01 7000250, 01-4483900, 07000225543 for immediate intervention.