EEDC urges customers to embrace new metering system

By Chukwuemeka Opara

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has urged its customers to embrace the new metering system aimed at checking complaints of estimated billings and related issues.

Mr Emeka Eze, the Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC gave the urge in Abakaliki during its one-day customer engagement programme aimed at “feeling the pulse of customers”.

Eze said that unmetered customers contest every electricity bill sent to them even those that were low.

“The regulator has introduced a new metering system called the meter asset provider to close the metering gap existing in the sector.

“This system allows third party business organisations to supply metres for customers’ usage which they would pay for.

“Paying for the meter does not mean that the customers would be losing the money as they would be reimbursed over a stipulated period.

“This reimbursement will not be in form of cash but as energy and we urge the customers to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.

He noted that the regulator allows EDDC to use the average consumption rate within six months to one year, to make necessary adjustments.

“We allow customers to recharge over a period and the adjustments would be made.

“Most customers are not aware of this opportunity and that necessitated the aggressive enlightenment programmes carried out in this regard,” he said.

Eze assured customers of the company’s unwavering commitment to providing adequate services to them as they were the reason for its continued stay in business.

Mr Cyprain Nwankwegu, the Business Manager of EEDC, Abakaliki district, appreciated the customers presence at the programme and assured them of quality service always.

“This engagement provides customers, an opportunity of drawing our attention to their complaints while appreciating our services,” he said.

He noted that customers feel at ease when they are provided with meters though many still complain of high bills even with installation of meters.

“They are however, yet to realise that electricity distribution companies run a multi year tariff order policy, regulated by the Nigeria Electricity Regulation Commission,” he said.

Mr Leonard Obijiofor, an electricity consumer in Abakaliki, urged the EEDC to check the activities of its adhoc staff who disconnected power supplies to various homes without providing necessary services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that customers laid several complaints, ranging from estimated billing, poor power supply, non-availability of metres among others.

(NAN)