The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) on Friday said no fewer than 90,870 prepaid meters have been allocated to it by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for distribution to its franchise states of Edo, Delta Ondo and Ekiti.
Tayo Adekule, BEDC head of public affairs told newsmen in Benin City that the prepaid meters would be distributed to the four franchise states in the first quarter of 2021.
Adekule, who noted that the meters would be distributed under the National Mass Metering programme (NMMP), added that under the scheme it will be distributed freely to customers.
He explained that the metering would cover four BEDC franchise states in a phase manner on a selected distribution transformers covering 90,870 customers over a period of six months.
He also explained that of the 90,870 meters 40,995 would be allocated to Edo, 22,247 to Delta, 19,453 to Ondo and 8,294 to Ekiti states.
According to him, metering under this scheme is free and customers will not have to pay. Customers who have collected tellers for meters under the MAP shall not pay any amount to acquire a meter.
“Any amount paid to the account of MAP shall be refunded in 21 days subject to customers providing the account details for the refund .
“20 percent of the Meters are three phases while 80 percent are single phase.
“Customers in Band A which include those with minimum of 20 hours supply; Band B minimum of 16 hours and Band C minimum of 12 hours of power supply will benefit from the metering during the exercise.
“Band D with minimum of 8 hours and Band E minimum of 6 hours of power supply will benefit from the metering in the second quarter of 2021,” he added.
Adekunle, who also spoke on the court case between the power distribution company and Edo Civil Society Organisations, said lawyers of both parties have resolved to settle out of court.
