To ensure that electricity consumers are adequately metered in the country, two indigenous firms, MOMAS System Nigeria Ltd, and MOJEC International, have thrown their weight behind the Credited Advance Payment Implementation, CAPMI Scheme, in collaboration with the Eko Electricity Distribution Company.
The scheme was officially launched by the Eko DISCO of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, last week in Lagos.
The company said it agreed to partner with the indigenous firms after many months of consultation with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and other relevant stakeholders in the power sector.
The Managing Director, MOMAS, Mr. Kola Balogun, said: “CAPMI has come to stay, we will make it work and it is a way to relieve consumers from the constant ‘crazy bill’ and estimated billing, but as a manufacturing company our aim is to key into the policy of the scheme.
“We can assure you that as soon as any consumer pays, meter will be made available within the shortest time frame, between 24 or 48 hours.
He said that MOMAS has the capacity to produce 50,000 meters monthly, adding that the company will meet any requirement within that range.
The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of MOJEC International, Ms. Chantelle Abdul, explained that the company is introducing smart metering technology into the country.
According to her, the smart metering allows electricity consumers to manage their consumption and the amount to be paid.
She said: “With smart metering, you can manage your electricity consumption and know exactly what your bill should be. It also affords you the opportunity to load your meter with your phone or the internet without going to any of the PHCN offices.
“We have the capacity to produce 100,000 meters per month and we are ready to deliver these meters to consumers within the shortest time frame. Partnering with Eko DISCO is something we are proud of because they are the first DISCO to launch the CAPMI scheme in the country.” Mr. Ibrahim Juibril was the first electricity consumer in Nigeria to have the CAPMI pre-paid meter, which is installed at his 35A Bourdilon Road residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to him, the CAPMI scheme is transparent and efficient, adding that PHCN officials in Eko DISCO simplified the process for their customers.
The new metering scheme allows consumers to pay for the meters and get refunds for payments after its installation through monthly reductions on the fixed charge element of their electricity bills to the tune of the meter cost.
The NERC chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, had earlier announced that customers would be charged an estimated N25, 000 for single phase meters and up to N50,000, for three phase meters while smart meters will come with other costs.
20-hour power delivery
In the spirit of the moment, the Eko DISCO also promised to deliver at least 20 hours power supply by December, which will be increased to 22 hours in January, 2014.
The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oladele Amoda, who made this known at the fourth edition of the company’s Customer Parliament, said efforts are ongoing to ensure that customers within the network are served better.
He said: “Customers normally expect that when they get to their houses, there should be power supply and we are ready to provide these services. We are working to give our customers 20 hours of electricity every day on the average by December, and 22 hours by January next year.
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