BEDC Electricity (BEDC) has announced the rollout of over 100,000 customer meters over the next two years in Ekiti State, Nigeria. BEDC will be aiming for a monthly average of 4,000 units.
The allocation forms part of the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.
Executive Director in charge of Commercial at BEDC, Abu Ejoor disclosed this at a media launch of MAP in Ekiti State held at BON Hotel, Ado-Ekiti.
Ejoor told journalists that in Ekiti, metering would be initiated in Ado-Ekiti and Ido-Ekiti and will eventually move into other locations, adding that the rollout of meters will be handled by FLT Energy and Sabrud Consortium, both designated parties.
“MAPs will carry our meter roll out location by location, route by route and street by street while enumeration is a pre-requisite for meters to be provided under MAP” he said.
According to him, “some of the locations flagged for take-off include: Fajuy Park Area, Similoluwa Area, Similoluwa Area / Teaching Hospital, Ajowa Street, Oriapata, Opposite School of Nursing, Adebayo Area, Adehun Quarters, Olora Area, Ile-ileri, Adehun Quarters, Peace Avenue and Pathfinder Hotel Road among others.”
Ejoor further stated that the MAP Scheme will assist in reducing customer complaints on metering, wrong and estimated billing which he said accounts for over 60% of complaints.
Speaking on the current state of power supply in Ekiti, the Executive Director said an average of 13,432 MWh of electricity is delivered to the state monthly, noting, however, that 14% of power generated is lost due to poor network infrastructure, while about 36% of power generated is also lost to commercial theft or illegal consumption.
Major challenges include; transmission bottlenecks, limitations in rearranging distribution networks to improve power supply and increase in network and equipment vandalism.
“We implore customers to note that power sector improvement process is a journey and not a race and that with their collective support by prompt payment of bills and honouring of their obligations, we shall get to our desired destination faster,” he said.
Chief State Head, Ekiti State, Kunbi Labiyi stated that BEDC, in a bid to support and grow economic activity in Ekiti, has approved over 100 projects, improving energy access from 3-6 hours to 10-22 hours.
She also informed that between 2018 and now, BEDC has connected 112 communities without supply in its coverage areas to the national grid, 19 of which are located in Ekiti state.
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
