Why prepaid meters are costly – Mojec

With over 10 million households in Nigeria yet to be provided with electricity meter, the Federal government has commenced the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) in partnership with the eleven Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCO, Mojec International Limited, along with other metering manufacturing companies in the country.

The NMMP is to roll out six million meters for all connection points on the grid that are currently without meters over the next 18 to 24 months. It is estimated to cover about 30 million consumers nationwide. It is also expected to reduce the metering deficit in the country by 66.7 per cent.

It was gathered that under the programme, the federal government would make funds available for the payment of the prepaid meters and the DISCOs would distribute to households free. Subsequently, customers will pay back the cost of the meters over a period.

Speaking during the NMMP launch in Lagos, the Commissioner for Energy, Lagos State, Mr Olalere Odusote, said the essence of prepaid meters is to ensure that everyone in Lagos understand the energy they are consuming and pay for it.

“One of the major concerns of consumers is that the bills they are charged is not reflective of their power consumption.

“What the state government is doing is to ensure that it underwrites the metering programme it is providing, so instead of having consumer pay for meters that they need immediately, the state government will prepay and consumers would repay overtime.

“The meters would be available and your inability to afford a meter would not stop you from getting a meter. The Lagos State Government is committed to ensuring that all Lagosians are metered by the end of the current administration. “In terms of the payment, we are still engaging with the DISCOs to come up with a modality.”