Customers have been assured of prompt metering under the ongoing Metre Assets Provider (MAP) scheme by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) under its Mushin Business District.
The Managing Director, EKEDC, Tinuade Sanda, EKEDC, gave the assurance at a customer engagement forum organised by the Electricity Distribution Company on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the customers at the forum were drawn from various areas, including Mushin, Itire, Odi-Olowu, Tejuosho, Yaba and Papa Ajao.
Sanda, who was represented by Joseph Esenwa, the Chief Financial Officer, EKEDC, Sanda said the engagement was continuous and aimed at fostering the relationship between the DisCo and its esteemed customers.
She disclosed that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had approved the reintroduction of the MAP scheme following the completion of the Phase Zero of the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).
“Under the NMMP, free metres were distributed to customers and we are waiting for phase one of the programme.
“However, the ongoing MAP scheme is to enable customers to purchase prepaid metres directly without delays.
“We have the mobile MAP which we have launched in Festac District and customers are getting their metres within 72 hours.
“My advice to you is that you should embrace this MAP and get your prepaid metres to avoid issues relating to estimated billing and other disputes.”
Speaking on why power supply had dropped significantly within the last few months, she noted that this was due to the challenges bedevilling the electricity sector.
Sanda identified a few of the challenges to include inadequate gas supply, low power generation, the incessant collapse of the national grid and vandalism of electrical installations amongst others.
She also revealed that EKEDC had gotten a loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which is being used in procuring and upgrading distribution infrastructures such as substations, feeders and transformers.
Afeez Lawal, Customers Consultative Forum, EKEDC Mushin District, and Chief Femi Ogunyemi, who spoke on behalf of the Community Development Association commended the DisCo’s management for the engagement.
However, they decried the estimated billing being issued to unmetered customers especially with the poor power supply since the beginning of the year.
