By Ahmed Rahma
The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has commenced the distribution of smart prepaid meters to customers under its franchise in Ogun State.
The programme, which kicked off Thursday, was launched by the Head of Metering of IBEDC, Mr Adewale Obajemu, at Ota.
According to Mr Obajemu, the federal government plans to distribute one million meters to unmetered electricity customers across the country in phase zero of the scheme.
He disclosed that the distribution would be made by the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), adding that IBEDC would distribute 104,000 of the meters to customers in its franchise.
Mr Obajemu said IBEDC had partitioned the entire Ogun area into different groups and that every area would be covered.
He said, “This is phase zero of the programme, which is like testing the grounds. We will soon move to phase one.
“We have about 350,000 customers in Ogun but a good number of them had earlier been metered.
“We will ensure that the process is transparent and sincere to enhance the cooperation of the people,” he said.
Mr Obajemu explained that the meters would be installed, notwithstanding the outstanding bill of any customer.
He, however, stated that customers with outstanding bills would be expected to contact the firm not later than 30 days after installation to discuss such bills, failure of which, he said, such outstanding would be factored into subsequent energy purchases.
The IBEDC official also explained that customer’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) would be required before installation for accounting purpose.
Mr Obajemu stressed that customers must ensure that their service cables were up to standard, saying that it must be, at least, 16 mm and should not extend into the ceiling to prevent tampering.
He warned that meters must only be serviced by technicians of IBDEC and not just any power engineer.
“If you have any issue with the meter, please contact our customer care numbers or our office closest to you.
“If anybody should work on the meter, that will amount to tampering and such customers will face the full wrath of the law.
“Please note that the meters have in-built security seals and tampering sensing devices to detect tampering,” he said.
He explained that the meters were entirely free of charge and pleaded with the customers not to pay anyone for installation.
The IBEDC chief, therefore, appealed to customers to exercise patience, adding that every area targetted under phase zero would have been covered by the end of March.
Mr Segun Daodu, the Chairman of Ifesowapo Community Development Association (CDA), where the programme was launched, commended the federal government for the initiative.
He expressed optimism that the development would bring an end to the challenges associated with estimated billings while assuring that the community, through its WhatsApp platform, would continue to educate and dissuade its members from tampering with the meters after installation.
