Energy coy to boost metering in Bauchi, Gombe, Benue, Plateau – Says JED boss

The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED), has assured it’s teaming customers that it will meter every consumer by injecting over 417,000 meters into the power company before the end of this year.

JED said it has sealed all contractual agreements with meter providers, world bank and National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

Speaking in a 3-day Customer Complaints Resolution Meeting, organized by the National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC), currently ongoing in Jos, the Managing Director Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, said with the NMMP phase one coming into play very soon, the company is set to meter more Nigerians.

“With World Bank Intervention being in process, we expect 305,000 from NMMP face one and also expect another 100,000 plus in the World Bank Intervention programme, and currently, we have 12,000 meters procured two days ago.

“We have the MAP still in progress with other initiatives in place, our customers will see traction in this direction”, Mohammed said while answering questions from journalists.

Responding to third party investors, the JED boss said regulators now allow third parties, which are non licensed operators, to invest in the system through a project agreement.

“Any individual, corporate organisation or community that wants to invest in the system now has the opportunity to do so. A structured repayment programme is also fashioned into the agreement”, Mohammed said.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner Consumer Affairs, National Electricity Regulation Commission, Mrs.Isah Mahmud, said the purpose of organising the 3-day workshop is to educate customers on their rights and any other information they need to know regarding the electricity industry.

According to her: “We also want to resolve their complaint on the spot”, She said.

She continued: “Metering is one of the biggest challenges faced in this industry. Couple of years ago, the commission together with the federal government came up with a different Intervention programme just to make sure that customers are metered”, Mahmud said.