Meter Price Hike Compounds Challenges Of Customers On Bill Estimation

Slectricity consumers have expressed anger after the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced an increase in the price of prepaid electricity meters in the country.

This is contained in a NERC ‘order’ signed on Tuesday by its chairman, Mr Sanusi Garba and the commissioner, Legal, Licensing & Compliance, Mr Dafe Akpeneye.

The commission, in the order, said that a single-phase prepaid meter would now cost N81,975.16k from the N58,661.69 while three-phase pre-paid meters would cost N143,836.10 from N109,684.36.

It said that “significant changes in macroeconomic indicators, such as inflation and changes in the foreign exchange rates necessitated a review of the regulated rates for MAP meters.

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The commission also stated that the approved meter prices were exclusive of the 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT).

It said the new price regime was to ensure fair and reasonable pricing of meters to both MAPs and end-use customers

This is coming barely a month after the commission said the pre-paid meters software currently in use by consumers would crash next year.

Already, some Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos have warned customers that they may not be able to load energy token by end of this year.

In a message on its Twitter/X handle the Commission noted that the process of updating would be free of charge with customers expected to approach the power Distribution Companies (Discos) on how to go about it.

“ If you have a prepaid meter, it may be time for an update. From November, 2024, you may not be able to recharge your meter. However, updating is easy and free.

“Discos shall commence issuance of two free Key Change Tokens (KCTs) which will update your meter,” NERC stated in the message.

In addition, it stated that the process will not in any way impact the units in the meters , urging consumers not to be apprehensive.

Managing director and chief executive of MOJEC International Holdings, Nigeria’s foremost indigenous meter manufacturer Ms Chantelle Abdul, in a chat with me, confirmed that deadline for the TID rollover migration is November 2024 and not 2023.

Reacting to the commission’s price review, Mr. Adetunji Adewale, who operates a barbing salon in Maryland area of Lagos, said he has made several moves to obtain a prepaid meter in the past but his efforts were frustrated leading to delay in getting one for his shop. He said the new price will further frustrate his efforts and business.

Also, Mr. Clement Ewullum, who operates an electrical shop said the new price is discouraging because he has been saving to get a prepaid meter for his shop.

“Now government has reviewed upward the price. When one phase meter was selling for N58,000 people still could not afford it and it has jumped to over N80,000 which is not pocket friendly,” he cried out.

President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network Kola Olubiyo, said the NERC has failed in working out modalities of refund through token recharge for customers to recover cost of procuring the meter.