… mandates installation of registered meters within 10 days
… to sanction DisCos for failure to meet minimum hours of supply for any given band
Oredola Adeola
The Ekiti State Government has issued directive requiring all customer-purchased smart meters to be sourced from Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) duly registered by the State, with a strict ten-day installation timeline and daily fines for non-compliance by Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and other electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) operating in the State.
Engr. Dare David, Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (EKSERB) Executive Secretary, and Engr. Adewale Adeniyi, Director of Ekiti State Electricity Management Service Department, made this known in different documents tagged “Order No: EKERB/2024/001” and “EKSERB/2024/002, dated June 3, 2024, and June 7, 2024, respectively, obtained by Advisors Reports on Friday.
The EKSERB has therefore ordered Licensed Meter Providers (LMPs) to sell meters directly to eligible electricity customers.
The Regulator said, “LMPs are required to install the purchased meters within ten (10) working days of payment to their designated bank accounts. Failure to comply will result in a fine equivalent to the cost of the meters multiplied by each day the installation is delayed.”
The Bureau further stipulated that Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) operating in the state must integrate those meters with their back-end systems within five (5) working days of being notified of their installation by the Meter Asset Providers (MAPs).
It warned that non-compliance will incur fines not exceeding the cost of the meters multiplied by each day of delay after notification.
The Bureau emphasised that it reserved the right to adjust tariffs in line with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) rates or set its rates in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
It further mandated the DisCos operating within the state to ensure that the minimum hours of electricity supply for any given band are met daily, with shortfalls published on their websites.
EKSERB said, “In addition, each DisCo shall electronically provide to EKSERB a daily log of the power(in Kilowatts or MegaWats) and the number of Hours of availability on all the feeders in its distribution network.
“For postpaid customers, any shortfall in electricity supply will result in energy costs being recalculated at the appropriate band rate.
“Prepaid customers will receive credit for any shortfall in the following month, calculated at the appropriate band rate.
“Failure to publish shortfalls, revise energy costs, or credit customers will attract a penalty of five times the total credit due,” the State regulator noted.
EKSERB has therefore ordered all DisCos operating in the state to commence mandatory metering of all electricity customers, emphasizing that tariffs must conform to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC’s Multi-Year Tariff Orders (MYTOs).
The Bureau also directed DisCos to phase out the estimated billing method and ensure that all new customers are provided with smart prepaid or postpaid meters.
EKSERB revealed that the estimated billings have discouraged many customers from paying for monthly electricity consumption, resulting in a loss of revenue for the DisCos and a loss of confidence on the part of electricity consumers.
