Third-party Agents Frustrating Ongoing Free Meter Initiative, Says Eko Distribution Firm

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko DisCo), exposed the fraudulent activities of third party agents that is consistently hampering its free metering process.

The DisCo has therefore urged customers to take advantage of its free prepaid metering programme, warning that patronising third-party agents continues to expose households and businesses to fraud, inflated charges and delays.

The utility firm said meters under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) Tranche B remain completely free and are obtainable only through its official online portal.

The advisory was issued during Eko DisCo’s Customer Engagement Forum for the Apapa District, held on Thursday, where residents, community leaders and security agencies met with senior management to address long-standing concerns around metering, supply reliability and safety.

Traditional rulers, led by Moroof Oyekunle Atanda Amodu-Tijani Oluwa (Amore III) of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, joined the session alongside senior police representatives.

Speaking on behalf of Eko DisCo chief executive Rekhiat Mohmoh, Babatunde Lasaki, general manager Corporate Communications, thanked residents for their cooperation as the company works to improve supply.

He said the engagement forum remains a key part of the company’s strategy to give customers direct access to senior management and ensure their feedback influences ongoing operational decisions.

Lasaki outlined the company’s investments in network upgrades, transformer maintenance, feeder rehabilitation and faster response systems, noting that Eko DisCo is pushing to improve service quality despite ongoing constraints from the national grid.

He assured residents that concerns raised at the forum would be addressed urgently.

During the technical briefing,  head of distribution operations, Henry Ukoh, said Eko DisCo had scaled up its free metering rollout in recent months through the MAF and internal metering schemes, enabling thousands of customers in Apapa and surrounding communities to receive meters at no cost.

He stressed that applications must be submitted only through official online channels and warned customers not to pay individuals claiming to speed up the process.

Ukoh also raised concerns about illegal connections, which he described as a major driver of transformer failures, unsafe electrical conditions and energy losses.

He urged residents to report such activities and avoid using unqualified electricians, saying the practice undermines supply quality and endangers entire neighbourhoods.

Eko DisCo encouraged customers to submit complaints through its online platforms for better tracking and quicker resolution.

The company also highlighted its weekly radio programme on Nigeria Info FM, where customers can receive updates on meter installations, load-shedding schedules, safety information and other operational issues.

Security officials present at the forum pledged increased collaboration with the DisCo to curb energy theft, cable vandalism and attacks on power assets, noting that such acts are criminal offences with serious penalties.

Lasaki reaffirmed Eko DisCo’s commitment to delivering safer and more reliable electricity supply.

He said feedback from the engagement forum would guide the company’s operational priorities in the coming months as it expands metering and strengthens the network across the Apapa District