LAGOS- The management of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has commenced the installation of free smart meters to electricity consumers.
The EKEDC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Oladele Amoda, newsmen in Lagos that some consumers in Mushin, Orile and FESTAC Town had been given the meters.
He said that the company had so far distributed 5,000 meters to electricity consumers in the three communities.
Amoda advised consumers in the zone to exercise patient, explaining that consumers in areas within the EKEDC jurisdiction would be given meters free of charge.
“We have commenced the installation of smart meters in Orile, Mushin and some part of FESTAC Town.
“It is a gradual process, let me assure you all that every electricity consumer in EKEDC will be metered free of charge.”
The EKEDC boss said that more than 400,000 consumers in the zone would benefit from the smart meter project which would cost the company some N2.6 billion.
He said that the sum was borrowed from bank to pursue the scheme, adding that the process would be in batches and as the bank released fund.
Amoda said that the company was replacing old meters in the three communities.
He also urged electricity consumers with outrageous bills to apply for smart meters under the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme.
Amoda said that under the scheme, cash paid to buy meter would be refunded in installments.
He appealed to electricity consumers in the zone to bear with the company over the recent erratic power supply within the zone.
He said that plans were underway to inject 170 megawatts of electricity to the system through the embedded power generation project.
“Management has decided to inject additional 170MW to the 300MW we are receiving from the national grid.
“We have entered into agreement with Egbin Power Plant who will be supplying the company 100MW directly from their station.
“Then Ijora Power Plant will give us 40MW and remaining 30MW will be received from different private companies in Lagos and Ogun State.