The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) says it would commence metering customers by the third week of November 2020 in the federal government free metering programme.
According to the Vanguard, the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, Engr. John Ayodele, said in line with the programme, IBEDC is committed to driving the rollout through a series of metering registration and distribution points across different locations within its franchise.
The report quoted the CEO of saying that the metering initiative was designed to ensure a seamless metering process that allows customers to register and be metered quickly after following the due process.
The newspaper said Engr. Ayodele further hinted that for the first phase of the programme, which would run till the end of December 2020, IBEDC is rolling out over 100,000 prepaid meters to customers, including those who have duly registered and had passed the technical evaluation and paid under the Meter Asset Provider Scheme (MAP). Engr.
The IBEDC boss is also quoted as saying that the primary objectives of the National Mass Metering Program amongst other things, are to increase the metering rate in Nigeria, curb losses and increase financial flows to the industry at large.
“Part of the objectives also includes the elimination of estimated billing, improving network monitoring capability and strengthening the local content in meter manufacturing in Nigeria.
“The National Mass Metering Program (NMMP) is expected to roll out six million meters over the next 18 to 36 months across Nigeria.
The report also said that the IBEDC informed its esteemed customers that it has received the newly approved capping policy-order NERC/214/2020 from its Regulators, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), adding that the policy had taken effect from November 1, 2020. He said the capping order would ensure that estimated billing is more equitable and just, pending the time all our customers are fully metered.