Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has issued metres to over 120,000 households between 2018 and June 2020, adding that this is in line with its commitment to bridge its metering gap.
In a statement by the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, it disclosed that in order to achieve the mandate of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to bridge the metering gap and reduce the incidence of estimated bills, it has doubled its efforts to realize its objective of issuing meters to all its customers in the shortest possible time.
“The company plans to meter another 400,000 customers over the next two years. Apart from eradicating estimated billing, Ikeja Electric’s metering programme has also provided jobs, directly and indirectly, for thousands of Lagosians and Nigerians in general, particularly during the lockdown,” he said in the statement.
Ofulue said issuing meters to its customers under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme is ongoing, despite logistical challenges emanating from the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that the company has also provided metres for its Maximum Demand (MD) customers in the network and conducts periodic recertifications of the metres in line with regulatory procedures.
“In addition to consumer metering, Ikeja Electric has also metered all the 33kv /11kv feeders from the injection stations ensuring energy accountability across its delivery points. In addition, the local distribution transformers have also been metered up to 100% while the metering of newly installed transformers after completion of the project is ongoing” the statement said.
The IE Head of Corporate Communications urged customers, who are yet to apply for metres, to take advantage of the Metre Asset Provider (MAP) scheme and apply through the IE portal map.ikejaelectric.com, using their Ikeja Electric’s account number on the bill to log into the portal and update their KYC (Know Your Customer) details.
According to the statement, Ofulue noted that Ikeja Electric has set up a debt resolution panel in the six Business Units to address complaints on outstanding bills and other related issues to ensure reconciliation while customers are processing the application for metre.
With regards to payment for metres, he stressed that “customers must always pay into the designated bank account provided by the MAP and they must always include their Application Reference Number (ARN) when making these payments”.
In the same vein, he also explained that with the upward review of metre prices by NERC, the new price for Single Phase Metre is now N48,263.37, while Three Phase Metre is now N89,069.33, adding that all prices are inclusive of VAT and became effective from June 1, 2020.
However, the statement quoted Ofulue as stating that customers who have paid before June 1, 2020 under the MAP scheme, but yet to be metered should forward their payment evidence stating Account Name, Application Reference Number (ARN) and IE Account Number to FinanceMap@ikejaelctric.com for prompt confirmation.
Ofulue advised customers not to pay or give money to either Ikeja Electric staff or MAP for meter and installation.
