Thousands of electricity consumers in Nigeria have welcomed a major relief as Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) rolls out free prepaid meters under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) program. This initiative, which is being closely monitored by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), is part of the Federal Government’s broader Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) aimed at eliminating estimated billing and ensuring fair charges for electricity consumption.
The free meter distribution targets Band A customers within the EKEDC franchise region. These customers, classified as high-priority electricity consumers, typically enjoy up to 20 hours of power supply daily. The move is expected to significantly reduce the metering gap and facilitate the transition of postpaid customers to prepaid billing, thereby addressing issues related to faulty and outdated meters.
Speaking on the development, Babatunde Lasaki, General Manager of Corporate Communications at EKEDC, reassured customers of the company’s commitment to delivering meters within the stipulated 60-day timeframe. He urged all eligible customers, particularly those with obsolete or faulty meters, to apply via the EKEDC website for a free replacement. He further emphasized that postpaid customers under any Band A feeder should seize the opportunity and get metered immediately without cost.
Lasaki clarified that the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) initiative does not replace the existing Meter Asset Provider (MAP) program, which allows customers to purchase meters and receive a gradual refund from the government. Rather, the MAF scheme is a direct intervention by the federal government to ensure widespread metering, with Band A customers being prioritized in this first phase. He assured that subsequent phases would extend to other customer categories, ensuring fair and widespread coverage.
While the initiative has been met with enthusiasm, concerns have been raised about the fairness of the distribution process. Some customers argue that the allocation should not be limited to Band A consumers alone. Nnenna Mercy, a resident of Lagos, expressed her frustration, stating that metering efforts should be equitable across all regions. “The meters should be evenly distributed across the country. How is it that some people still do not have meters while others are getting them for free?” she questioned.
The issue of outdated meters has been a longstanding challenge in Nigeria’s electricity sector. Many consumers still use obsolete card meters that are no longer compatible with modern billing systems. In a related development, Ikeja Electric recently announced that it would discontinue support for Unistar card meters and other outdated devices under the MAF initiative. The company issued a public notice warning affected customers that the technology supporting these meters would soon be phased out. However, it reassured that eligible Band A customers would receive free meter replacements under the government-backed MAF program.
The rollout of free prepaid meters is a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s metering deficit, which has led to widespread complaints about estimated billing. Experts believe that a fully metered electricity market will improve revenue collection, reduce energy theft, and enhance the overall efficiency of power distribution companies.
As the implementation progresses, the federal government is expected to announce additional tranches of the program to accommodate more electricity consumers across different bands. For now, Band A customers under EKEDC’s jurisdiction are advised to take advantage of the free metering offer by visiting the company’s official website to apply.
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