The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company has said that it has metered over 100,000 of its customers in four of its coverage states under the Meter Asset Provider scheme in the last two years.
The states are Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr Naveen Kapoor, who said this at the official flag-off of the MAP, which held in Uyo, said over 100 customers have already been metered in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
He said “We are responsible for distributing power in four states namely; Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa with over 513,000 customers. In the last two years alone, PHED has metered more than 100, 000 of its esteemed customers.
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“The Federal government has been engaging all Discos over the estimated billings that results in erroneous billing leading to customer grievances.
“To resolve this lingering issue, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) issued Meter Asset Provider Regulations last year.
“PHED has wholeheartedly adopted MAP policy to bridge the metering gap in our network and put to an end the lingering issue between us and our esteemed customers and thereby strengthen our relationship and bond with our customers.
“Following the transparent billing process, duly audited by NERC, two vendors Holley Metering Ltd and Armese consulting Ltd have been approved for the implementation of MAP in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Cross River States.”
Kapoor said the company has established Bill Reconciliation Camps across its coverage area to ensure the smooth transition of unmetered and defective meter customers who are being billed on an estimated basis and have outstanding debt payable to PHED.
According to him, the company was ensuring quick reconciliation of customers’ accounts before migrating customers to the new meter to eliminate any chances of billing-related grievances in future.
He urged unmetered customers and those with defective meters to participate in the scheme to enable PHED to improve its service delivery.
Governor of Akwa Ibom State Udom Emmanuel who was represented by his Special Assistant on Power, Mr Meyen Etukudoh expressed hope that the adoption of MAP would end the era of illegal connection and ensure customers no longer pay for energy not consumed.
