The Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) has begun the deployment of 1,880 meters for its Band ‘A’ customers, utilizing a portion of the N21 billion allocated under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF). The initiative is aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring accurate billing for customers in this category.
In a statement, YEDC announced plans to deploy 1,500 single-phase meters and 380 three-phase meters to its Band ‘A’ customers, with N243 million of the total allocation earmarked for this deployment. The installation process will take place over a two-week period, from November 18 to 30, 2024, and will be conducted by approved meter vendors at no cost to the customers.
As of July 2024, YEDC had a customer base of 819,940, of which 63,477 were metered and 118,490 remained unmetered. This metering project is part of a broader effort to reduce the number of unmetered customers and improve customer satisfaction by providing accurate and reliable billing.
The N21 billion Meter Acquisition Fund was approved under NERC Order No. NERC/2024/072, which implements “Tranche A” of the Presidential Metering Initiative, effective from June 13, 2024.
The scheme was designed to address creditworthiness challenges faced by Distribution Companies (DisCos), which have hindered the timely deployment of meters and impacted revenue generation. By securing long-term financing for utilities, the MAF aims to support the deployment of meters and improve the financial viability of the Nigerian electricity sector.
According to YEDC’s Communications Officer, Blessing Tunoh, the current deployment focuses on Band A customers, who will benefit from the accurate metering.
“This allocation consists of 1,500 single-phase meters and 380 three-phase meters. The installation will take place over two weeks, starting November 18 and ending November 30, 2024,” Tunoh explained.
The MAF initiative is part of the Presidential Metering Initiative, which was launched to accelerate the provision of meters for electricity consumers across the country. The meters being deployed under this scheme will be installed at no cost to customers, further alleviating the financial burden on consumers.
YEDC has urged all Band A customers in its franchise area to cooperate with the installers visiting their premises during the metering exercise. The company also reassured customers of its commitment to improving the quality of electricity distribution, ensuring that all customers receive reliable, transparent, and fair services.
“We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of electricity distribution and ensuring that our customers are metered accurately,” Tunoh added.
“This project is an important step in our ongoing efforts to improve customer satisfaction and meet the objectives of the Presidential Metering Initiative.”
With the successful deployment of these meters, YEDC aims to provide a more reliable electricity supply, reduce energy losses, and ensure that customers are billed fairly and accurately, contributing to the overall efficiency of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).