By Jamiu Ganiyu
To tackle the problems associated with estimated billings across her business franchise area, the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has shown the readiness to issue prepaid meters to her customers numbering 988,915 covering Osun and three other states.
The electricity distribution company made this known on Tuesday at a town hall meeting held at Leisure Spring Hotels in Osogbo, the state capital, to engage and educate customers on the New Meter Asset provider.
While speaking with newsmen, the Chief Operating Officer, Engr John Ayodele said the management of IBEDC is committed to ensuring that their customers get metered with ease.
In his words, Ayodele said, “the Meter Asset Provider scheme established under the MAP regulations 2018 was introduced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to put a stop to the incessant complaints about estimated billings by customers, bridge the metering gap and accelerate mater roll out to enhance revenue generation”.
“The Map scheme is not only for the provision of meters but also responsible for the installation, maintenance and replacement of faulty meters”.
He appealed to their customer to go through the proper channel to avoid fraudulent activities, as there are no hidden charges, no processing fees and no application fees of any kind.
“The Map identification number is all that is required to pay at any bank in Nigeria. Meters are then installed in customer premises 10 working days after receipt of payment”.
However, some participants who were at the town hall meeting expressed doubts about the openness of the distribution of the prepaid meters considering their previous experience about the sharp practices associated with the scheme.
A particular participant who claimed anonymity said most of these laudable efforts would be frustrated by the staff of the electricity distribution company because that is where they were making illegal money besides their monthly take home.