The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has announced the resumption of its free prepaid meter installation program, aimed at addressing the long-standing issue of estimated billing and faulty meters. The initiative is part of the company’s efforts to close the metering gap in its coverage area.
Under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) Tranche B and Phase 1 of the Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP), IBEDC will deploy a total of 55,554 smart meters to its customers. The MAF Tranche B will see the installation of 33,450 meters, while the DISREP Phase 1 will cover 22,104 meters. The meter rollout will prioritize unmetered customers on Band A feeders, as well as those on Bands A and B under the DISREP.
According to Angela Olanrewaju, IBEDC’s Coordinating Head of Corporate Services, the meters and installation process are entirely free, and customers are warned not to make any payments to installers or IBEDC staff. The company has also set up a reporting mechanism for customers to report any instances of solicitation for payment.
The MAF initiative is funded by IBEDC through a market-supported mechanism established by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to enable distribution companies to close the metering gap across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). The scheme complements the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) and is designed to accelerate nationwide metering.
IBEDC has urged customers to grant installers access to their premises upon presentation of a valid ID, as access denial may result in disconnection. The company has also cautioned against tampering with or bypassing the new meters, as such acts constitute energy theft and attract serious penalties.
Customers with outstanding arrears are encouraged to visit the nearest IBEDC office to resolve their debt, which will aid in their seamless migration to prepayment mode. However, the company has stated that outstanding arrears will not disqualify customers from receiving a free meter under this scheme.
The free meter installation program is a significant step towards addressing the concerns of IBEDC customers and promoting transparency and fairness in billing. As the company works to close the metering gap, customers can expect improved service delivery and reduced instances of estimated billing. With the rollout of the smart meters, IBEDC is poised to enhance its customer experience and contribute to the overall development of the Nigerian electricity sector.
