Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
Ikeja Electric Plc has announced plans to meter 400,000 additional households under its network coverage by the year 2022.
Recently, the company announced an increase in the prices of its prepaid meters in line with the upward review of meter prices by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The organisation’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Felix Ofulue, disclosed that the new price for single-phase meter was now N48,263.37, while three-phase meter was now N89,069.33, noting that all prices are inclusive of VAT and became effective from June 1, 2020.
He said the decision was reached by the firm’s management in order to achieve the mandate NERC to bridge the metering gap and reduce the incidence of estimated bills.
According to him, Ikeja Electric already metered over 120,000 households between 2018 and June 2020 in line with its commitment to bridge its metering gap.
“The company plans to meter another 400,000 customers over the next two years. Apart from eradicating estimated billing, Ikeja Electric’s metering program has also provided jobs, directly and indirectly, for thousands of Lagosians and Nigerians in general, particularly during the lockdown,” he said.
Mr Ofulue explained that metering of its customers under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme was ongoing despite logistical challenges emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the company has also metered Maximum Demand (MD) customers on the network and conducted periodic re-certification of the meters in line with regulatory procedures.
“In addition to consumer metering, Ikeja Electric has also metered all the 33kv/11kv feeders from the injection stations, ensuring energy accountability across its delivery points.
“In addition, the local distribution transformers have also been metered up to 100% while the metering of newly installed transformers after completion of the project is ongoing,” he explained
He urged customers who are yet to apply for meters to take advantage of the MAP scheme and apply through the IE portal map.ikejaelectric.com, using their Ikeja Electric’s account number on the bill to log into the portal and update their KYC (Know Your Customer) details.
He noted that Ikeja Electric has set up a debt resolution panel in the six business units to address complaints on outstanding bills and other related issues to ensure reconciliation while customers are processing the application for a meter.
With regards to payment for meters, he stressed that “customers must always pay into the designated bank account provided by the MAP and they must always include their Application Reference Number (ARN) when making these payments”.
However, customers who have paid before June 1, 2020, under the MAP scheme, but yet to be metered should forward their payment evidence stating Account Name, Application Reference Number, ARN and IE Account Number to [email protected] for prompt confirmation.
Mr Ofulue advised customers not to pay or give money to either Ikeja Electric staff or MAP for meter and installation. Rather, they should send an email to [email protected] or call IE Customer Care helplines 01-4883900, 01-7000250, 09087980825 for clarification on issues that are not clear.
