Provide meters, end estimated billing regime – Ekiti Govt to DISCOS

The Ekiti State Government has urged electricity distribution companies operating in the state to ensure that all electricity consumers are metered to put an end to estimated billing across the state.

Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, who gave the charge in Ado Ekiti during an engagement with concerned stakeholders on electricity matters, noted that arbitrary and outrageous electricity bills being imposed on un-metered houses have discouraged many consumers from paying their bills. He added that the ugly trend also discourages investors from investing in the state, leading to a loss of revenue.

Aluko explained that the meeting was convened to address and put an end to estimated billing methods and ensure that customers paid for only what they consumed with the provision of smart prepaid or postpaid meters.

Stressing that the DISCOS are expected to provide meters for all consumers as soon as possible, Aluko enjoined all electricity distribution companies operating in the state to submit their comprehensive metering plans and strategies to the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau.

He said that meter asset provider companies would be mandated to register with the bureau to ensure compliance in supplying standard meters that will pass through the process of certification as reliable products before they are acquired.

Ekiti State Head of Service, Sunday Komolafe, in his goodwill message, emphasised that having many companies provide meters should not be an issue. He stressed that the focus is to make use of certified companies that will deliver standard meter products.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Information Taiwo Olatunbosun said the ongoing proactive reforms in the power sector initiated by the Oyebanji Administration had turned Ekiti into a trailblazer in power sector reform in Nigeria.

In his contribution, the chairman of the Ekiti State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Olusegun Ojo, appealed for the entrenchment of instalment payments for consumers who are not privileged to pay at once to access the prepaid or postpaid meters.

The permanent secretary of the ministry, Olumide Ajayi, highlighted some key roles of Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau as an independent regulatory body of electricity demand and supply, adding that it has the power to prosecute any infraction against lawful directives issued on electricity matters.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau, Dare David, said the bureau was established in accordance with the Ekiti State Electricity Power Sector Law 2023.

He avowed that the function of the bureau is to regulate electricity matters and operationalise the electricity market in the state to ensure a reliable and sustainable power supply.

Responding on behalf of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, the general manager of the Ado Ekiti district, Mrs. Moyosola Akin-Afuye pledged their full cooperation and readiness to work with the state towards achieving the desired goal.