Ekiti orders BEDC to end estimated billing and provide meters to residents

The Ekiti State Government has urged electricity distribution companies (DisCos) operating in the state to ensure that all electricity consumers have meters to put an end to incidences of estimated billing.

The State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Services, Mobolaji Aluko, made the charge in Ado Ekiti during a meeting with stakeholders concerned about electricity issues.

He noted that arbitrary and outrageous electricity bills imposed on unmetered homes had deterred many consumers from paying their bills.

He lamented that this ugly trend also deters investors from investing in the state, leading to loss of revenue.

Professor Aluko, explained that the meeting was called to address and end estimated billing practices, and ensure that customers pay only for what they consume with the provision of prepaid or postpaid smart meters.

Emphasizing that DisCos were expected to meter all consumers as soon as possible, Mr. Aluko urged all DisCos operating in the state to submit their comprehensive metering plans and strategies to the State Electricity Regulatory Office.

He said meter asset supply companies would be made to register with the Bureau to ensure compliance in supplying standard meters, adding that meters would also go through the certification process before being procured to ensure reliable and quality products. good quality.

Article page with financial support promotion

The head of the state service, Sunday Komolafe, in his goodwill message stressed that the fact that there are many companies supplying meters should not be a problem.

He highlighted that the objective was to make use of certified companies that will deliver standard meter products.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, noted that the ongoing reforms initiated by the Biodun Oyebanji administration had made Ekiti State a pioneer in reforming the country’s energy sector.

He said the state government’s current measures in the energy sector would act as a catalyst to improve the ease of doing business and also enable the shared prosperity agenda of the Oyebanji administration to prosper further in the state.

Speaking, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Ekiti State Branch, Mr. Olusegun Ojo, called for installment payments for consumers who did not have the privilege of paying in one go to access the services. prepaid or postpaid meters.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olumide Ajayi, during his presentation, highlighted some key functions of the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (EK-SERB) as an independent regulatory body for electricity demand and supply.

READ ALSO: After PREMIUM TIMES report, contractors return to complete abandoned road project in Ekiti

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (EKSERB), Dare David, said the establishment of EKSERB was in accordance with the Ekiti State Electricity Sector Act, 2023 to regulate electrical affairs and put the electricity market into operation. in the state to ensure a reliable and sustainable energy supply.

He sought continued support from all stakeholders to the state government’s efforts to improve service delivery in the power sector.

On behalf of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), the Chief Executive Officer of Ado Ekiti District, Mrs. Moyosola Akin-Afuye, pledged her cooperation and readiness to work with the state to achieve the desired objective.