- AEDC launches online vending platform
- Each vendor has committed to supplying 50,000 meters monthly
- The framework aims to sell 135,000 single-phase meters and 45,000 three-phase meters for N63,061.32 and N117,910.69
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) plans to close its metering gap by installing 180,000 meters as part of its Meter Assets Providers (MAPs) scheme, which has been restarted. In addition, the company has launched an online vending platform to allow electricity customers to purchase energy directly from the company’s website rather than from various third-party vendors.
The chief technical officer of AEDC, Engr. Oluwafemi Zacchaeus explained at a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday that the relaunch of the MAP scheme was to bridge the meter demand gap following the completion of phase zero of the Federal Government’s National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).
According to him, the MAPS scheme will require willing customers to advance money to MAP/AEDC to purchase meters, which is refunded via electricity units post-installation. He stated that the AEDC is in the process of engaging more MAPs but that only vendors with sufficient meter stock in Nigeria will be considered.
The Technical Officer also stated that each vendor has committed to supplying 50,000 meters monthly in the Company stores across all franchise areas to ensure constant availability of meters. According to Zacchaeus, the framework aims to sell 135,000 single-phase meters and 45,000 three-phase meters for N63,061.32 and N117,910.69 (VAT included), respectively.
In addition, the company’s chief marketing officer, Donald Etim, stated that the new vending platform was born out of a desire to provide customers with more access options while reducing the burden of additional costs. “With this platform, customers are not only assured of the elimination of extra charges such as service charges, commission fees, and convenience fees, but they are also assured of easy account reconciliation, 24/7 online real-time service, and instant value for the energy purchased from any part of its franchise area,” he said.