Indigenous firms partner Ikeja Disco on meter installation

In a bid to stem the tide of crazy bills and estimated billing system, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (Ikeja Disco) has partnered with six indigenous pre-paid meter manufacturing companies on effective meter procurement and installation to customers.

The companies include Momas System Nigeria Limited; Mojec Group of Companies; Chemo-technics Limited; MBH Power Limited; Unistar Hi-tech System Limited; and First Global Excel Resources.

Addressing stakeholders at the launching of the Credited Advanced Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme in Lagos, Abiodun Ajifowobaje, chief executive officer, Ikeja Disco, said the scheme was necessary to urgently address complaints by consumers about estimated billing and other components of service delivery by the company.

Ajifowobaje explained the scheme implied that consumers could apply and pay for meters, which will be installed within 48 hours and have their money reimbursed over a period of time as a means of discount on their electricity consumption.

He said the scheme had not overridden the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) introduced in June 2012. The MYTO scheme provides that no one pays for the meter as it is supplied free to consumers and paid for as tariff on monthly basis.

PHCN boss explained that due to lack of funds to procure enough meters from manufacturers at the moment, CAPMI would enable consumers get it by paying at first and getting refunded over a period of time.

He said that the zone agreed to partner with the indigenous firms after many months of consultation with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other relevant stakeholders in the power sector.