EEDC Clears Air on Prepaid Meter Controversy
....Says Consumers Misinterpreting NERC Directive
By Abuchi Onwumelu of Fides Newspaper
The Network Manager of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Awka District, Mr. Sam Onuoha has said that the electric consumers are misinterpreting the directive of the Nigeria Energy Regulatory Commission, NERC, noting that the directive is purely for Maximum Demand (MD) customers and not for residential areas.
'The directive is for the people who have dedicated units. It is for manufacturers, industrialists, big companies who have transformers above 45KVA. We call them Maximum Demand (MD) Customers, while others consumers who are not into manufacturing (residential homes) are called Non Maximum Demand Customers,' he said
He was reacting to the news making the rounds in the social Media to the effect that the federal government had directed electricity consumers to stop paying bills unless they were provided with pre-paid meters.
But Mr. Onuoha who spoke with Fides in an exclusive interview in his office in Awka, said they were directed to meter all the MD customers, noting that every other consumers would also be metered with time.
'We have started; a lot of them have applied. Let them exercise patience. It will certainly get to everybody. For now, We are saddled with the responsibility of metering our MD customers first. It's our duty to explain to our customers the import of the directive. Let all Non Maximum Demand Customers go and apply online first. Issue of blackouts and epileptic power supply will soon be a thing of the past.
'Please note that the process of meter application has been simplified via an online platform: Simply visit our website @WWW.ENUGUDISCO.COM; Click on CONTACT-US menu on the Web page; and select REQUEST FOR A METER in the drop-down list. Then just follow the instruction and fill in your details and then submit. It takes less than one minute to complete. Paying customers with little or no arrears stand better chances,' Onuoha concluded
He called on the customers to always protect their interest by reporting all cases of energy theft, illegal connection and re-connection, faults, double sourcing of power, suspected touts operating in your environments.
Onuoha urged them to avoid giving money to touts masquerading as EEDC officials and to pay at EEDC's designated cash offices or through other online payment options via ATM and Website. This is even as he thanked the customers for their continued patronage and understanding, noting that they would continue to work to stabilise power availability in Awka and environs.
In the same vein, the Public Relations Officer of EEDC, Awka District, Maureen Onyeonwu described power as capital intensive, noting that funding of the metering project had gulped over 10billion
She urged the customers to endeavour to pay their electricity bills promptly. This is even as she announced that the current smart metres were free.
Below is the full text of the directive issued by NERC:
To All MD Customers, No Prepaid Meter Don’t Pay Estimated Bills – NERC
The Regulation on Connection and Disconnection Procedures for Electricity Services, 2007 provides for the connection of customers to electricity distribution networks by distribution companies.
In line with the Act governing the commission Maximum Demand (MD) meters are used by commercial and industrial customers who consume high levels of electricity and contribute substantially to the revenues of distribution companies. The consumption threshold for MD customers is 45KVA.
A directive was issued to distribution companies by the Commission in June 2016 for all MD customers to be metered by 30 November 2016.
The Commission received appeals on compliance deadline from distribution companies prior to the expiration of the 30 November 2016 deadline. The deadline was extended to 1 March 2017 after consideration of appeals received from distribution companies.
Upon due consideration of facts above and the expiration of the compliance deadline granted to distribution companies on the metering of MD customers; the Commission hereby directs as follows.
Fence forth “any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 shall not pay any electricity bill presented by a distribution company on the basis of estimated billing methodology and these customers are advised to report this to the Commission.”
The commission further reiterate that “no distribution company shall disconnect any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 on the basis of the customer’s refusal to pay a bill issued after the compliance deadline on the basis of estimated billing methodology.”
In conclusion the commission gives directive that any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 should notify the Commission directly.
Nigerians are advices to comply with the public notices so as to help the federal government, ministry of power and the Nigeria Energy Regulatory Commission meet the set standard of regulation in Nigeria.
....Says Consumers Misinterpreting NERC Directive
By Abuchi Onwumelu of Fides Newspaper
The Network Manager of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Awka District, Mr. Sam Onuoha has said that the electric consumers are misinterpreting the directive of the Nigeria Energy Regulatory Commission, NERC, noting that the directive is purely for Maximum Demand (MD) customers and not for residential areas.
'The directive is for the people who have dedicated units. It is for manufacturers, industrialists, big companies who have transformers above 45KVA. We call them Maximum Demand (MD) Customers, while others consumers who are not into manufacturing (residential homes) are called Non Maximum Demand Customers,' he said
He was reacting to the news making the rounds in the social Media to the effect that the federal government had directed electricity consumers to stop paying bills unless they were provided with pre-paid meters.
But Mr. Onuoha who spoke with Fides in an exclusive interview in his office in Awka, said they were directed to meter all the MD customers, noting that every other consumers would also be metered with time.
'We have started; a lot of them have applied. Let them exercise patience. It will certainly get to everybody. For now, We are saddled with the responsibility of metering our MD customers first. It's our duty to explain to our customers the import of the directive. Let all Non Maximum Demand Customers go and apply online first. Issue of blackouts and epileptic power supply will soon be a thing of the past.
'Please note that the process of meter application has been simplified via an online platform: Simply visit our website @WWW.ENUGUDISCO.COM; Click on CONTACT-US menu on the Web page; and select REQUEST FOR A METER in the drop-down list. Then just follow the instruction and fill in your details and then submit. It takes less than one minute to complete. Paying customers with little or no arrears stand better chances,' Onuoha concluded
He called on the customers to always protect their interest by reporting all cases of energy theft, illegal connection and re-connection, faults, double sourcing of power, suspected touts operating in your environments.
Onuoha urged them to avoid giving money to touts masquerading as EEDC officials and to pay at EEDC's designated cash offices or through other online payment options via ATM and Website. This is even as he thanked the customers for their continued patronage and understanding, noting that they would continue to work to stabilise power availability in Awka and environs.
In the same vein, the Public Relations Officer of EEDC, Awka District, Maureen Onyeonwu described power as capital intensive, noting that funding of the metering project had gulped over 10billion
She urged the customers to endeavour to pay their electricity bills promptly. This is even as she announced that the current smart metres were free.
Below is the full text of the directive issued by NERC:
To All MD Customers, No Prepaid Meter Don’t Pay Estimated Bills – NERC
The Regulation on Connection and Disconnection Procedures for Electricity Services, 2007 provides for the connection of customers to electricity distribution networks by distribution companies.
In line with the Act governing the commission Maximum Demand (MD) meters are used by commercial and industrial customers who consume high levels of electricity and contribute substantially to the revenues of distribution companies. The consumption threshold for MD customers is 45KVA.
A directive was issued to distribution companies by the Commission in June 2016 for all MD customers to be metered by 30 November 2016.
The Commission received appeals on compliance deadline from distribution companies prior to the expiration of the 30 November 2016 deadline. The deadline was extended to 1 March 2017 after consideration of appeals received from distribution companies.
Upon due consideration of facts above and the expiration of the compliance deadline granted to distribution companies on the metering of MD customers; the Commission hereby directs as follows.
Fence forth “any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 shall not pay any electricity bill presented by a distribution company on the basis of estimated billing methodology and these customers are advised to report this to the Commission.”
The commission further reiterate that “no distribution company shall disconnect any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 on the basis of the customer’s refusal to pay a bill issued after the compliance deadline on the basis of estimated billing methodology.”
In conclusion the commission gives directive that any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 should notify the Commission directly.
Nigerians are advices to comply with the public notices so as to help the federal government, ministry of power and the Nigeria Energy Regulatory Commission meet the set standard of regulation in Nigeria.
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