Free power metering to resume after stalling for 2 years
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Abuja has directed power distribution companies (DisCos) to resume the Meter Assets Providers Programme (MAPP) stalled for two years by the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).
MAPP had existed for years before NMMP under the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was introduced in 2020 to bridge the wide metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
MAP had reached only 400,000 homes in 2020, the NMMP in Phase 0 covered more than 800,000 homes.
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Chairman Garuba Sanusi disclosed that NMMP Phase 1 is expected to begin in August 2022 and DisCos have been directed to resume and speed up on MAP.
“By the end of August, meters from local manufacturers will be deployed by DisCos. As a result, DisCos have been ordered to re-open the MAP, and customers are advised to take advantage of the window to purchase theirs if they cannot wait for the free meters,” he said.
He confirmed that 45 local meter manufacturers are jostling to be signed up to MAPP, they have submitted their bids, and the selection process has begun.
“The names of winners of the bid rounds will be announced as soon as the process is completed,” Sanusi added.
Phase 1 targets four million households.
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Consumers to pay for only what they use
Metering Expert and Accountant Sesan Okunade argued that the NERC should not have stopped MAP in the first place.
“Firstly, I don’t know the reason why the NERC stopped the MAP programme that was moving fine. If the programme was not stopped, we would have moved far with the metering gap because customers are ready to pay for the meters.
“Also, it would have put the DisCos on their toes and reduced the estimated billing being given to customers,” Okunade told The PUNCH.
“The NERC’s order to resume the programme is a welcome development. It is still a welcome idea which will allow customers to pay for what is being actually consumed.”
Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN) National President Chijioke James pressed DisCos to take their responsibilities more seriously.
“Customers have been paying for their meters even when it is Discos’ responsibility to meter every consumer. Even when most consumers pay, it takes some time to be allocated with meters.
“This is despite the presidential directive on mass production of meters and distribution nationwide to consumers. We believe Discos need to wake up to their responsibility in the power sector,” James said.
