The Eko Electrical energy Distribution Firm (EKEDC) says it plans to meter roughly 600,000 prospects inside the subsequent 5 years, with an annual goal of 120,000 meter installations from 2024 to 2028.
Mr Gbadebo Akinyede, Head of Metering Division at EKEDC, disclosed that the corporate has launched into a complete five-year metering technique geared toward eliminating estimated billing inside the community.
Talking on the Clients Complaints Decision assembly of the Nigerian Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (NERC) within the Lekki-Ajah space of Lagos, Akinyede outlined the corporate's dedication to enhancing service supply by means of metering.
EKEDC at the moment has greater than 450,000 measured prospects, which represents 63 % of the shopper base.
Akinyede emphasised the corporate's dedication to bridging the meter hole of about 260,000 prospects.
In the course of the discussion board, which was attended by prospects of the Lekki Enterprise Unit, Dr. Tinuade Sanda, Chief Finance Officer of EKDC, represented by an officer of the unit, Mr. Joseph Esenwa, highlighted the corporate's concentrate on buyer satisfaction and engagement.
Sanda emphasised the significance of gathering suggestions to handle points and enhance the standard of providers.
She assured prospects that EKEDC stays dedicated to metering all prospects inside the specified timeframe and would proceed to leverage initiatives such because the Meter Asset Supplier program to attain this objective.
Nonetheless, Sanda recognized challenges associated to the effectivity of collections, with a good portion of revenues remaining uncollected.
She urged prospects to settle excellent funds to assist efficient service supply.
As well as, Sanda addressed the liquidity challenges confronted by distribution firms, emphasizing the necessity for aggressive collections to fulfill obligations and enhance operations.
Relating to infrastructure improvement, Sanda mentioned the corporate has been making efforts to evaluate and improve substations beneath the Lekki-Ajah enterprise unit.
She reaffirmed EKEDC's dedication to spend money on property to enhance electrical energy distribution provide.
The Commissioner for Shopper Affairs at NERC, Hajia Aisha Mahmud, underlined the significance of the shopper grievance decision discussion board in facilitating dialogue between prospects and distribution firms.
Mahmud burdened the necessity for patrons to pay attention to their rights and for distribution firms to take care of excessive requirements of service supply.
Whereas discussing the metering challenges, Mahmud acknowledged the numerous hole between meter availability and demand in Nigeria.
She highlighted initiatives such because the Presidential Metering Initiative and the Meter Asset Supplier Program as key methods to handle the issue.
Responding to buyer complaints, Mr. Uket Obonga of the Nigerian Electrical energy Customers Advocacy Community urged prospects to say their rights and maintain distribution firms accountable for high quality of service.
He warned in opposition to unlawful actions resembling meter bypassing and inspired reporting of such incidents.
Clients additionally raised issues about EKEDC's response time to complaints and known as for higher providers.
They highlighted issues resembling extended energy outages and insufficient infrastructure upkeep.
