AS the Federal Government / Discos Mass Metering programme (NMMP) kicked-off at the weekend, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), has announced that it will commence its distribution of smart electricity meters to customers at a simultaneous launch event of the scheme in Kano, Kaduna, Ikeja and the Eko Distribution Companies franchise areas.
EKEDC’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Godwin Idemudia, said the distribution will begin in the Surulere axis of Lagos State. He explained that the NMMP is in fulfilment of the Federal Government’s and the Discos commitment to close the metering gap in the country and enhance the revenue collection of DisCos.
He said that under the new arrangement DisCos are expected to go from location to location with their respective Meter Asset Providers to provide and install meters for their customers. Eko Electricity, he revealed, will roll-out over 100,000 meters in the first phase of the programme from the locally manufactured companies such as Mojec International Limited and Momas Meter manufacturing company.
Idemudia disclosed that the NMMP will increase Nigeria’s metering rate, eliminate estimated billing and strengthen the local meter value chain by increasing local meter manufacturing, assembly and deployment capacity.
He added that the initiative will also reduce collection losses, increase financial flows to achieve 100 percent market remittance obligations of the Discos and support the country’s economic recovery by creating jobs in the local meter value chain whilst also ensuring customers only pay the exact value for their energy consumption.
The NNMP is expected to roll out six million meters for all connection points on grid without meters over the next 18 to 24 months and estimated to impact over 30 million consumers nationwide.