By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As part of efforts to close the metering gap in the country, the federal government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), came up with the Meter Asset Providers (MAPs).
This platform gives third-party companies licenced by the government to provide metres to customers of electricity in the country, and the scheme has since commenced on May 1, 2019.
One of the leading electricity distribution firms, Ikeja Electric, embraced the MAPs so as to serve its customers better and more efficiently.
The company, in its efforts to make the process of obtaining a prepaid metre hassle-free for its customers, has explained in simple terms how to go about it.
In its Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs) sector of its website, Ikeja Electric said, “In line with NERC regulations, customers are expected to pay for meters. The payment for the meter by the customer can either be upfront or in instalments.”
It further noted that a single-phase prepaid metre costs N38,850 and a three-phase meter costs N70,350. These are all inclusive of VAT.”
Ikeja Electric explained that, “Customers who cannot afford to pay for their meters upfront can pay in instalments. The instalment payment is by regulation referred to as the Monthly Metering Service Charge (MSC) and will continue until full amortization of the meter asset cost, as agreed with the MAPs.”
It stated that, “A meter is for one customer account only. However, customers with more than one account can have multiple meters.
Ikeja Electric also said for customers who made upfront payments for acquiring the metres, the meters will be provided and installed within 10 working days of the payment, and for payments in instalments, customers will be metered in line with the MAPs installation schedule.
It further said after installation, the meter would be processed for setup and activation within two days, and customers will be able to vend for energy using any of the IE payment channels.
On if customers will have to pay any additional charges for meter requests, Ikeja Electric simply said, “No. The total amount payable is as stated for single and three-phase meters, respectively. However, where a customer location does not have the right service wiring, customers will be advised to purchase one. This can be obtained from any licensed electricity vendor.”
On how customers can pay for the MAP Meters, the firm said, “All payments for meters should be made into the authorised bank account to be advised by the MAP. No customer should pay cash for meters to any individual.”
Commenting on how to obtain the prepaid metres, Ikeja Electric advised customers to complete or update their details by visiting http://map.ikejaelectric.com/. It also said customers could send an email to [email protected] or call on any of 01-448-3900, 01-700-0250 and 0700-022-5543 for further information.
On if a customer decides not to get a meter, the company stressed that, “The regulation stipulates that all unmetered customers must be metered under the MAP scheme. Customers who refuse meters will be denied service by the distribution company,” adding that all meters will be procured and installed via MAPs.
Speaking on customers having unsettled post-paid bill before applying for a meter, the electricity firm advised that the bill be cleared by taking advantage of the various repayment options available during the KYC process.
“Outstanding balance can also be rolled over into the customer’s prepaid account and paid in instalments in line with IE’s instalment plans,” it said.
Answering question as to whether the Meter Service Charge (MSC) is the same as the Suspended Fixed Charge, the company said, “MSC is not the same as the Suspended Fixed Charge (CFC), noting that the MSC is the monthly repayment of the cost of the meter over a period of time.
On the event of customer’s relocation to another apartment after paying for the meters, Ikeja Electric said if the relocation is within its franchise area, the customer is expected to notify the DisCo and once notified, the company will transfer the service to the new location including the credit on the customer’s account.
“Customers are not allowed to remove their meters from their locations,” Ikeja Electric emphasised.
Adedapo Adesanya
map electric,I registered for two ppmeters for my house at no Fmr 20 now 28 Taiwo Ajala st ,Abule Egba by u turn b/stop,but on the 12th April 2021,one mr Dayo only came with one Ppmeter, may I know what happened to the 2nd Ppmeter as it has been causing misunderstanding in the long &big house that required 3 phase meter at least two.
Gud day Mr dipo, am having problem with the co-tenant where I operate a small scale business for not paying bills and amounted to 300000 +
.how can I go about prepaid meter for myself without using the account
Hello Adeola,
The best thing to do is to apply as a new customer. You will be assigned with a new account number you can use to apply for a prepaid meter.
Thanks so much but won’t there be problem on house address cause the address will be same so that the old debt will not be in the new account
There are situations where a building has more than one meter. Another option would be to apply for a prepaid meter on the existing bill. The outstanding would be transferred to it and a payment plan worked out for you.
Good day Mr dipo, I want to apply for a meter for three phase, please how much?because some people say they have increased the traffic, how true is that.
Then if I apply online for this meter , how am going to get it. Thanks
The price of a 3-phase prepaid meter used to be N72,085.68 but was increased to N89,063.33 after customs increased their import duty. Now that the duty has been removed, it is not certain if the price has been reduced.
For the tariff, it has been suspended for one more week.
Yes, you are going to get it if you apply online.
Good morning sir. Pls which is the best office to go get the prepare meter. Since I moved into my new single room at oluyeye oshodi one year now I have been paying # 6500 every month , as the bill to the 7 single room apartment is always 45500. Or more than that atimes.
And what we have now as outstanding bill is #130000 as some of the tenant got tired of paying. Pls Address of the right office to get the meter .
Hello, you do not need to go to any office for the prepaid meter. In fact, it cannot be done at any physical office for now. You have to apply online using your Ikeja Electric account number on the bill. You can start the process via map.ikejaelectric.com
Hi,I just entered a house that are not paying bills for a long.what to do please
You will have to involve the landlord in the matter
Thanks, but the real issue is will it be accepted by them and with whom does one follow up? i guess by the time i send the scanned docs to the finance dept, they should do the rest.
Thanks again.
Yes, it will be accepted as long as you paid into the right bank account. After forwarding the scanned docs to the finance dept, I will advise you to also chat them up on the chat box on their website for further confirmation.
Good luck
Hi, great feedback job you are doing here. I have similar issue as not being able to pay at bank. Do you have any update per doing so online and forwarding relevant docs to the email shown here?
Thanks.
There is the option of online payment, but due to a few issues, Ikeja Electric and MAP officials mostly advise against it. However, if you intend to pay online, you must include your ARN and meter account in the reference for easy matching of the payment with your account. Also, ensure that you have proof of payment with you, it is very important.
Hi the KYC has been filled. How do you apply for the prepaid meter the tenant contested the amount owed even though she was the one that stayed there
How can I get a prepaid for that flat please an account is already created and I wish to pay some amount if that is done will that trigger me to pay for the meter or not?
Hello Dan, it is quite simple. After the KYC, from the same dashboard, proceed to arrears settlement, where you would be given different options of how to clear the outstanding bill up to four years. When you are done with this process, you will get a notification that a MAP official will get in touch with you for a survey (mostly within 30 days). It is this official that will advise you on the type of meter you should pay for.
Good day Mr Dipo, weldone for the awareness, please how can I generate additional account to process more than 1 meter. Thank you
Hello, you can do that via https://www.ikejaelectric.com/request-new-connection/
How can l get prepaid metre l have paid for some money on my bill and they have sent my metre account number to me,but the problem is my code to apply for the metre
Hello,
You can start by updating your KYC on https://map.ikejaelectric.com/sign-in to begin the process
Why is my prepaid meter has been reading even though I switch off every light in my house
And if my prepaid meter is running too fast what do i have to do?
Hello, you can get in touch with the Energy Sales Representative of Ikeja Electric for your undertaking or business unit for assistance.
What is the location, contact address, phone number of Conglog MAP ? That of Mojec is clearly stated online what happens to Conglog’s hope they are real?
Please my KYC has been approved but I was told that a map official will come to survey before I make payment and how much will I be recharging to be able to pay my outstanding. Thanks
Hello Chigozie,
You can make efforts to reduce your outstanding by making payments you can afford. However, when you eventually pay for the pre-paid meter and it is installed, whatever is left in outstanding will be moved to your meter.
I made my payment since 29may till now no prepaid meter given to me yet. Please what should do?
Hello Oleka,
You are not alone in this. At the moment, there is a shortage of meters due to customs clearance at the port. Installations should begin as soon as the issue is resolved.
Thank you so much for your reply…I was able to make the payment today but i don’t know how soon they will come and install the prepaid meter..or is there any other means to fasttrack it because monthly bill at the moment is too outrageous. THANKS
You can send the proof of payment to the MAP official who did your survey and also to [email protected] (with your details) for confirmation. The meter installation should normally be within 10 working days, but a while now, there has not been many installations because of scarcity of the prepaid meters. We hear that the meters are at the ports, waiting for clearance from the government.
Good Morning Mr Dipo, pls i want to pay the my prepaid meter after getting the payment advice but the selected banks keep saying the platform can’t be access and it is almost 2weeks now and i don’t know if i can pay online through my bank app…Pls i need your help..Thanks
Good morning, the issue you are experiencing has, unfortunately, become the new normal when paying for prepaid meters. From my understanding, payment can be made via other means, including from mobile app, but MAP officials prefer the over-the-counter payment to others.
But my investigations showed that when paying via other means, you must indicate your ARN alongside your post-paid meter account number for easy linking of the payment with your account.
Also, ensure you get evidence of payment, you might need it in the future when meter installation is delayed and IE needs to confirm your payment.
I hope this helps.
Please,
We have completed the kyc form for the Prepaid meter. What is the next step to get the meter?
You will have to wait for a MAP official to survey your apartment within 30 days. The reason for the survey is to advise you on the type of meter you should pay for.
Please,
We have completed the kyc form for the Prepaid meter. What is the next step to get the meter?
How can i apply for a prepaid meter in a new building
Yes, in fact, according to the new regulation, a new building must have a prepaid meter.
I have patiently waited for Map Field Officer since I have registered. No.0100212864
Is registration free or not because somebody said to register is #3000?
Hello Kalejaiye, registration for prepaid meter is free