Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), on Friday, April 5th, 2019, announced that it had issued permits to Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) that were successful in the procurement exercises conducted by Abuja and Jos Discos.
The development is in line with regulation – The permit is in line with MAP Regulation 2018, which requires all electricity distribution licensees to engage MAPs that would assist, as investors, in closing the metering gap and eliminating the practice of estimated billing in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
2. Section 4(3) of the MAP Regulation 2018 requires all electricity distribution licensees to engage MAPs that would assist, as investors, in closing the metering gap and thus eliminating the practice of estimated billing in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (“NESI”).
— NERC Nigeria (@NERCNG) April 6, 2019
Five companies to distribute 1.2 million metres to Nigerians
Consequently, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has appointed Mojec International Limited, Meron Consortium, and Turbo Engineering Limited to provide 487,000, 213,000 and 200,000 meters respectively.
Also, Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) has appointed the Triple 7 and Mojec International Limited consortium to provide 500,000 meters.
To this end, NERC has directed that the roll out of meters shall commence no later than Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
Attention to electricity consumers in Abuja and Jos
After the roll out date, customers of AEDC and JEDC should expect their meters to be installed in their premises within 10 working days of making payment to MAPs in accordance with section 18 (3) of the MAP Regulations 2018.
According to NERC, MAPs shall charge a maximum of N36,991.50 for single phase meters and N67,055.85 for three-phase meters. These costs are said to be inclusive of supply, installation, maintenance and replacement of meters over its technical life.
The Commission promised to monitor closely the rollout plan of distribution licensees and overall compliance with the regulation and various service agreements by the MAP and electricity distribution licensees.
About NERC
NERC is an independent regulatory body with authority for the regulation of the electric power industry in Nigeria.
NERC was formed in 2005 under the Obasanjo administration’s economic reform agenda through the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 for formation and review of electricity tariffs, transparent policies regarding subsidies, promotion of policies that are efficient and environmentally friendly, and also including forming and enforcing of standards in the creation and use of electricity in Nigeria.
NERC was instituted primarily to regulate the tariff of Power Generating companies owned or controlled by the government, and any other generating company which has a license for power generation and transmission of energy, and distribution of electricity.
Power sector should be second sector generating high revenue to FG after telecommunications industry and provide jobs for Nigerians….