Momas Electricity Meter Manufacturing Company Ltd. says Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)’s directives to begin the roll out of new meters by May 1 is not feasible and realistic.
Kola Balogun, Chairman of the company, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday, that rolling out meters by May 1 as directed by the NERC was unachievable, considering other challenges that required attention.
NAN reports that on April 5, NERC issued permits to Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) to roll-out new meters not later than May 1, 2019.
According to Balogun, “the directive cannot work; in the first instance, consumers needed to be educated about what is expected of them to have access to MAP licensee.
“Secondly, consumers have to be informed on the methods of acquiring meters, whether by payment or by investment.
“Lastly, every manufacturer (licensee) that wants to roll out meters needs a grace of three months to enable them have the meters available in their warehouses.
“The modality to start rolling out meters has to be put in place viz a viz all the various documentations that are required and the infrastructure that will make deployment a smooth running,” he said.
“If we are licensed this month (April), three months are enough for us to prepare, that is April May and June, while in July we start implementation.
“Except for few numbers of us who have some stock at hand that can roll out but the modality to roll out is also a question.
“ Apart from NERC giving licences, we still need processes to be put in place before meters will get to consumers because we need to train the meter installers, they need to be adequately trained on installation in consumers’ premises.”
On April 3, 2018, the NERC introduced the MAP regulation to new investors in the power sector to fast-track the roll-out of meters through the engagement of third-party investors.
The Commission issued permits to Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) on April 5 in accordance with section 4(3) of the MAP Regulations 2018, to MAPs that were successful in the procurement conducted by Abuja and Jos Discos.
Section 4(3) of the MAP Regulation 2018 require all electricity distribution licensees to engage MAPs that will assist as investors, in closing the metering gap and thus eliminating estimated billing in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). (NAN)
