- Consumers who paid for meters will be refunded
According to a report by the Punch Newspapers, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said, consumers who made payments for meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) regulation, will be refunded. The Head of Public Affairs, Mr Michael Faloseyi made this known responding to questions sent by the Punch Correspondent.
Recall that the MAP regulation allowed consumers to either, pay upfront or in instalments for meters. The National Mass Metering Program (NMMP) which kickstarted earlier this year, now supersedes the MAP regulation. The NMMP on the other hand involves the mass deployment of meters to consumers in phases. The Federal Government has repeatedly stated that the meters are free. However, the NERC has refuted this claim.
On who bears the cost of the meters, Mr Faloseyi responded, “Given that all prudent costs are borne by customers, the full cost of metering would form part of the tariff once the industry assumes full cost recovery”.
I think that the the distribution companies should bear the cost of meters because they are equipment they use in measuring what the customers consume each month. If we do not pay for the cost of pump at petrol station and we also do not pay for meter to waterworks for volume of water consumed by each household therefore I see no reason why that of electricity should be different.
Ideally, the consumer shouldn’t pay for meters. The Nigerian Power Sector has peculiar problems. With previous metering programs, the consumers were refunded for payments made towards meter acquisitions.
Thank you for your comment.