*To meter 400, 000 households by 2022
OpeOluwani Akintayo
Ikeja, Lagos — Ikeja Electric Plc, IE has increased prices of its meters in line with the upward review of meter prices by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.
The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric, Felix Ofulue disclosed that THE new price for single-phase meter is now N48,263.37, while three-phase meter is now N89,069.33. All prices are inclusive of VAT and became effective from June 1, 2020.
In a statement signed by Ofulue on Monday, the firm said it plans to meter 400, 000 households by year 2022.
The decision was reached by the firm’s management in order to achieve the mandate NERC to bridge the metering gap and reduce the incidence of estimated bills.
According to him, IE already metered over one hundred and twenty thousand households between 2018 and June 2020 in line with its commitment to bridge its metering gap.
“The company plans to meter another 400,000 customers over the next two years. Apart from eradicating estimated billing, Ikeja Electric’s metering program has also provided jobs, directly and indirectly, for thousands of Lagosians and Nigerians in general, particularly during the lockdown” he said.
Ofulue explained that metering of its customers under the Meter Asset Provider, MAP scheme is ongoing, despite logistical challenges emanating from the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that the company has also metered Maximum Demand, MD customers in the network and conducts periodic re-certification of the meters in line with regulatory procedures.
“In addition to consumer metering, Ikeja Electric has also metered all the 33kv /11kv feeders from the injection stations ensuring energy accountability across its delivery points. In addition, the local distribution transformers have also been metered up to 100% while the metering of newly installed transformers after completion of the project is ongoing” he explained
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He urged customers who are yet to apply for meters, to take advantage of the MAP scheme and apply through the IE portal map.ikejaelectric.com, using their Ikeja Electric’s account number on the bill to log into the portal and update their KYC (Know Your Customer) details.
He noted that Ikeja Electric has set up a debt resolution panel in the Six Business Units to address complaints on outstanding bills and other related issues to ensure reconciliation while customers are processing the application for meter.
With regards to payment for meters, he stressed that “customers must always pay into the designated bank account provided by the MAP and they must always include their Application Reference Number, ARN when making these payments”.
However, customers who have paid before June 1, 2020, under the MAP scheme, but yet to be metered should forward their payment evidence stating Account Name, Application Reference Number, ARN and IE Account Number to [email protected] for prompt confirmation.
Ofulue advised customers not to pay or give money to either Ikeja Electric staff or MAP for meter and installation. Rather, they should send an email to [email protected] or call IE Customer Care helplines 01-4883900, 01-7000250, 09087980825 for clarification on issues that are not clear.
