BENIN – The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), on Monday, said it has earmarked 190,000 meters to be given to it customers in Edo state in the next two years.
BEDC Executive Director, Commercial, Abu Ejoor, said this in Benin during the media launch of Edo state Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.
“A total number of 190,000 meters will be rolled out in Edo State in the next two years with a monthly cumulative average at around 10,000 units.
“In Edo state, we are taking off in two major locations and the area to be covered are Government Reservation Areas to Ihama road in Edo South Senatorial district and Okpella town in Auchi in Edo North Senatorial district. MAP will carry out meters rollout in the area’s location by location, route by route and street by street,” he said.
On the issue of acquiring the meter, he noted that customers are required to complete the customer’s data and survey form, after which MAP officials will assess the customer’s premises in readiness for metering and the customer clears would be advised on how to pay for the meter whether single or three-phase.
In his words, “metering customers will encourage the development of independent and competitive meter service in Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), eliminate estimated billing by NASI, attract private investment in the provision of metering service and the close metering gap among others,”.
” 44 per cent of BEDC’s power allocation comes to Edo state and an average of 86,062 mega wax is delivered to the state monthly.
” About 14 per cent of the power generated is lost due to poor network infrastructure while about 36 per cent of the power generated is lost through commercial theft, illegal consumption or not payment of bills,” he said.
Ejoor identified the challenges facing BEDC as needed and equipment vandalisation, limitation in rearranging distribution to improve power supply, transmission bottlenecks among others.
While assuring of the company’s commitment to improving its service delivery to customers, he noted that estimated billing account for over 60 per cent of complaints by customers
Mr Ejoor said between 2018 till date, BEDC has connected 112 communities without supply in their coverage areas to the national grid, stressing that two of such communities transformers in Auchi, Igarra Success School Junction and at Migita Jattu Uzaire were commissioned last month and in early September.
