Ikeja Electric, a power distribution company in the Republic of Nigeria has announced that it has metered 120,000 households between 2018 and June 2020.
This, according to the company, is in line with its commitment to bridging the metering gap in Nigeria.
The company’s head of corporate communications, Felix Ofulue, said in order to achieve the mandate of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to bridge the metering gap and reduce the incidence of estimated billing, the company has doubled its efforts to realise its objective of metering all its customers in the shortest possible time.
“The company plans to meter another 400,000 customers over the next two years. Apart from eradicating estimated billing, Ikeja Electric’s metering programme has also provided jobs, directly and indirectly, for thousands of Lagosians and Nigerians in general, particularly during the lockdown,” Ofulue said.
He said the metering of customers under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme is ongoing, despite logistical challenges emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company has also metered Maximum Demand (MD) customers in the network and conducted periodic recertification of the meters in line with regulatory procedures.
“In addition to consumer metering, Ikeja Electric has also metered all the 33kV /11kV feeders from the injection stations ensuring energy accountability across its delivery points. In addition, the local distribution transformers have also been metered up to 100% while the metering of newly installed transformers after completion of the project is ongoing,” he explained.
Ofulue urged customers who are yet to apply for meters, to take advantage of the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme and apply through map.ikejaelectric.com, using their Ikeja Electric’s account number on the bill to log into the portal and update their KYC (Know Your Customer) details.
He noted that Ikeja Electric has set up a debt resolution panel in the Six Business Units to address complaints on outstanding bills and other related issues to ensure reconciliation while customers are processing the application for meters.
With regard to payment for meters, Ikeja Electric spokesperson stressed that “customers must always pay into the designated bank account provided by the MAP and they must always include their Application Reference Number (ARN) when making these payments”.
Ofulue also explained that with the upward review of meter prices by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the new price for Single Phase Meter is now N48, 263.37 while Three Phase Meter is now N89, 069.33.
All prices are inclusive of VAT and became effective June 1, 2020.
However, customers who have paid before 1 June 2020 under the MAP scheme, but yet to be metered should forward their payment evidence stating Account Name, Application Reference Number (ARN), and IE Account Number to [email protected] for prompt confirmation.
Ofulue advised customers not to pay or give money to either Ikeja Electric staff or MAP for meter and installation.
Rather, they should send an email to [email protected] or call the Nigerian IE Customer Care helplines 01-4883900, 01-7000250, 09087980825 for clarification on issues that are not clear.
