Jos DisCo Begins Free Installation Of Prepaid Meters For Band A Customers

The Management of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Company has commenced free meter distribution under sector recovery programme (DISREP) aimed at improving service delivery and bridging the metering gap in its franchise States of Plateau, Bauchi, Benue and Gombe.

JED, in a statement issued in Jos, Plateau State, by its Acting Head of Corporate Communication, Saratu Dauda, said the initiative will begin with a pilot phase in Plateau State.

She pointed out that as part of this programme, the DisCo will install 109,000 prepaid meters free of charge for only customers on Band A feeders across the state.

Dauda further explained that the exercise will focus strictly on providing meters for existing unmetered customers and replacing faulty meters only on Band A Feeders, stressing that the scheme will not cover new connections as all new connections must apply via the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Scheme and no direct connection on Band A feeders will be allowed.

The company also emphasised that the DISREP meters were completely free of charge, adding that customers are strongly advised not to make any payments to staff or agents for meters or installations.

Part of the statement read, “Any customer who makes such payments does so at their own risk, as the company will not be liable for any losses incurred.

“Fraud-related complaints should be reported to our communication channels. The new prepaid meters feature advanced technology to enhance efficiency, security, and transparency.”

According to the statement, these include automated token uploads, eliminating the need for manual entry via the User Interface Unit (UIU) and Geo-lock functionality, ensuring meters only operate at the assigned GPS location in JED Plc’s database.

She maintained that in line with regulatory requirements, customers benefiting from the DISREP Metering Scheme are required to visit the nearest JED Plc office after installation to validate their debt profile as they will also be eligible for discount offers under the ongoing Debt Validation and Discount Promo, which offers “30 per cent discount for customers who clear their total debt in full. 25 per cent discount for customers who choose installment repayment within three (3) years.”

JED further appealed to all customers, especially those on Band A feeders, to cooperate fully with its staff during meter validation and profiling visits.