Era of estimated, postpaid billings over – EEDC

…says people are no more comfortable with estimated billing

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has urged residents of Anambra State to take advantage of the mobile Meter Asset Provider (MAP) metering to get metered.

Chief Technical Officer, EEDC, Engr. Vincent Ekwekwu gave the advice on Wednesday while flagging-off the mobile map metering in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He said the era of estimated and postpaid billings were over with the introduction of the new arrangement targeted at ensuring customers access prepaid meters within 48 hours.

He also assured periodic reimbursement with cost value of meter through energy.

He said, “We call it mobile because of reduction in time frame it takes to install meter after payment within 48hours. 

“The whole essence is to increase patronage and close metering gap because people are complaining they’re no more comfortable with estimated billing.

“But with this arrangement, era of estimated and post paid is gone. Apart from the smart prepaid meters being recharged online, you can now regulate your supply and manage your energy.”

Ekwekwu further reiterated the commitment of the power company in tackling incidences of vandalism of its electrical facilities across the South-East region.

He said vandalization of the firm’s assets is gradually turning unattractive and unprofitable following various measures taken to curb the menace, including reduction of copper content and length of the cables.

He said, “The vandals target the cables and transformer oil, particularly the cables’ copper make-up which they melt and use for jewelries. 

“What we’ve done is to reduce the cables’ copper content to make it unattractive, as well as reduce the cable length by mounting the transformer directly on the poles. 

“We’re also introducing aluminum cables in some transformers which is almost useless to these vandals. 

“Our engagement with local vigilante, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies in assisting us watch over the assets is also yielding positive results.

“Besides, we need more government’s intervention, especially in the area of regulation. Since these items are sold in the open markets, if there’s a regulation, it becomes almost impossible to dispose them easily.”

Also speaking, Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka said Governor Chukwuma Soludo is committed to 24-hour power supply in the state as one of his major deliverables for the year.

He further revealed government’s plans to sign strategic partnership agreement with EEDC targeted at encouraging private sectors to invest in power generation in the state to augment national grid supply.