The Federal Government has a directed Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to resume the Meter Asset Providers program (MAP)recently slowed down by the NMMP.
According to the chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Garuba Sanusi revealed that the first phase of the federal government’s National Mass Metering program has been scheduled to begin in August. Resulting in a call by the FG to DisCos to resume, and speed up on the Meter Assets Provider (MAP).
In addition, he said that meters from local manufacturers will be deployed by the DisCos before the end of August. Also, he advised customers to take advantage of the window to get theirs if they cannot wait for the free meters.
The NERC Chairman added that 45 manufacturers had submitted bids and the selection process has begun. He further noted that the MAP barely reached 400,000 homes in 2020, but with Federal Government’s NMMP intervention in phase 0, it succeeded in reaching over 800,000 homes.
Sesan Okunade, A Metering Expert and Accountant faults the NERC for having stopped the MAP from running in the first place. However, Okunade said NERC’s order to resume the program is a welcome development because it will allow customers to pay for what is being consumed.
Lastly, the National President, of the Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria, Barrister Chijioke James expressed his displeasure on the halting of the process and advise DisCos to take their responsibilities seriously, urging them to wake up to their responsibility in the power sector.
