Ikeja Electric Distribution Company on Friday engaged Alimosho communities on the Meter Assets Provider, (MAP) the august event which took place at the prestigious Grand Ovation Event Center; Gowon Estate had its MAP partner Conlog Meter Solutions Nigeria, Community Development Committee Chairmen, Baales, members of various Community Development Associations and consumers in attendance.
The Manager Akowonjo Business Unit, Engr. Lawrence Okoye in his opening remarks of the event highlighted the need for the engagement which focuses on educating the communities on the four processes of getting a prepaid meter seamlessly in accordance with the regulations of its regulatory body Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The application which is done online starts with Know Your Customer (KYC), Survey, Payment and Customer Metering.
The Chief Commercial Officer and the representative of the Managing Director Mr. Ugochukwu Obi-Chukwu in his address said that Ikeja Electric has not only chosen a its MAP but one of the best in Africa with many years of proven quality products and services Conlog Meter Solutions Nigeria. He noted that the first phase of the MAP agreement is expected to last for a period of three years by which Conlog is expected to provide meters for all IE customers under Akowonjo Business Unit. He appreciated consumers of Akowonjo Business Unit for their supports while noting that with the performance of the unit it will mean more supply and investment from IE.
The General Manger of Conlog Meter Solutions Nigeria Ms. Elungile Mzimba solicits for the supports and cooperation of the communities and reiterated that consumers applying for the form must ensure that their application reference number must be well quoted on their forms and payment tellers to avoid ambiguities in tracking payments, she also advised guests to avoid payments to its personnel during the exercise while noting that the regulation gives a maximum of ten working days for installation from date of payment, the samples of the new meter was shown to the guests.
While answering questions from guests Mr. Obi-Chukwu said that the debt profile of a consumer does not disenfranchise them from applying for the meter as the most vital requirement is the KYC while a reconciliation unit has been created for consumers to make presentations on any discrepancies in the billing system with a period of sixty days provided for consumers to make their appeals. He also said that the new regime of metering is paid for because NERC has withdrawn the tariff on it; hence the notion that others got theirs for free is not true as their tariff is higher than that of the MAP, on the ownership of the meter, he said the regulation provides that once a customer is paid for meter upon his relocation from that house that the regulation mandates its DISCO to provide another meter for him/her in the new accommodation. He reiterated that for consumers that will require more than one meter for their premises to visit any nearest IE office to open more accounts at no cost with their account number and separate their service cables before applying for meter.
For most of the guests it was a worthwhile engagement by Ikeja Electric and its partner as it gives room for better understanding of its operations.
