The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko DisCo) has kick-started the distribution of its free prepaid meters to Band A customers within its coverage. Carried out under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme, the initiative is part of the company’s plans to address metering issues and promote service delivery.
In a statement, Eko DisCo’s General Manager, Babatunde Lasaki, expressed that the power distribution company remains committed to metering all eligible customers within the 60-day timeline stipulated for the project.
“We encourage all Band A customers with faulty or obsolete meters to visit our website and apply for a replacement at no cost. If you are a postpaid customer on any of our Band A feeders, please apply, and we will ensure you are metered immediately,” Lasaki said.
In addition, Lasaki noted that the MAF scheme is running alongside the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.
The MAP scheme allows customers to purchase meters and get reimbursed over time, while the MAF initiative is a federal government intervention specifically designed to address metering gaps for Band A customers.
“Although the MAF scheme currently applies to Band A customers, future tranches will extend to a broader segment of our customer base,” he noted.
Notably, the MAF initiative was implemented under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) and aims to provide meters to Band A customers at no cost. It is also designed to replace faulty meters and transition postpaid customers to prepaid metering, with oversight from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)
He further pledged that Eko DisCo remains on the front foot of technological innovation, customer experience, and service excellence and takes pride in its leadership within the electricity distribution sector.
The Eko DisCo GM also commended the Nigerian government on its continued efforts to bridge the gap between metering and improving the overall performance of the electricity sector.
Eko DisCo covers the license area of the southern part of Lagos state and Agbara in Ogun state. The license area of Eko DisCo is segmented into 12 Districts namely, Agbara, Ajah, Apapa, Festac, Ibeju, Ijora, Lagos Island, Lekki, Mushin, Ojo, Orile, and Ajele.
Recall that in November, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) asked all electricity distribution companies in the country to replace expired prepaid meters for Nigerians free of charge. This came after claims that some Discos companies ordered customers to replace their Unistar meters for a certain fee.
Within that period, Ikeja Electric Plc and Eko DisCo already ordered customers on their service to replace their old Unistar prepaid meters before November 14. They stressed that failure to comply will lead to migration into an estimated billing category.
According to the NERC regulatory act – the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Act, it is the responsibility of electricity distribution companies to change damaged or expired prepaid meters for their respective customers.
NERC also emphasized that the replacement of meters is not the responsibility of customers. It then urged Nigerians to make a report of any electricity distribution company forcing them to replace their meters upon payment via phone lines and email addresses.
Also Read: NERC orders Discos to replace prepaid meters for free.
On a large note, Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies received N466.69 billion out of the N626.02 billion billed to customers in the third quarter of 2024. Among them, Eko and Ikeja Distribution Companies earned the highest revenues, receiving N103.11 billion and N99.73 billion, respectively.
In Q3 2023, Eko Disco had a collection efficiency of 84.40 per cent followed by Ikeja Disco with 83.78 per cent.
Steps involved in applying for Eko DisCo prepaid meter in Lagos
1. Visit the official Eko DisCo website.
2. Click on “Metering” in the homepage section.
3. Then proceed to “Order a Meter”
4. Either log in as an existing user with your email address and password or Sign up with details such as contract and meter number, customer type, personal ID type, and email address.
5. Fill out the prepaid meter application form.
6. Submit the prepaid meter application form and you will be contacted via SMS informing you of the day that they will come for a site inspection
7. Wait for your disco staff to come for a site survey and then determine the type of meter that will be suitable for your property.
8. Finally, your meter will be installed.
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