Two weeks after the flag-off of the Federal Government’s mass metering programme (NMMP), the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) says it has no projected number of prepaid metres to be distributed to customers before the end of the year.

The Abuja disco has yet to also provide details on the number of meters so far installed across its franchise area of Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi in addition to the FCT since the launch of the initiative.

Responding to queries from Peoples Gazette, an AEDC customer service correspondent, however, insists that distribution of free meters is ongoing under the NMMP free metering procedure.

“Please be informed that the distribution of meters under NMMP is ongoing”, the AEDC agent said Wednesday, while declining comments on the number of meters so far distributed. “Presently, we are giving out meters at no cost to the customer under the NMMP.”

When asked how many prepaid meters the AEDC intends distributing before the end of 2020, the AEDC personnel responded: “Kindly be informed that we do not have the estimated number. However, AEDC will continue metering.”

“Currently, we are in phase 0 in which priority is only given to the metering of customers on Service Reflective Tariff Band A (customers who have up to 20 hours of supply and above). If you are on Band A, a notification will be sent to you prior to meter installation,” the customer care agent, who insisted on anonymity citing company policy stated.

The Gazette learnt that the second phase of the project, which requires CBN-funded procurement of meters from local manufacturers and assemblers is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2021.

An AEDC spokesman could not be reached for further comments.
Abuja Electricity’s managing director Ernest Mupwaya had earlier disclosed that the disco will commence installation of 101,000 free meters for its customers between November 2020 and December 2021.

“Currently, with the flag-off of this National Free Mass Programme, AEDC will receive a total of 900,000 meters, at the cost of 23 billion which will be sufficient to meter all customers including replacement of defective meters,” the AEDC chief said at the NMMP flag-off ceremony on November 3. “Between now and December 2021 AEDC has planned to install over 101,000 meters at a cost of N6 billion without charging customers. The rest of the meters will be installed 18 months after,” Mr. Mupwaya added.