The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company says it is targeting over 300,000 customers from South-East region on its Phase1 metering programme.
Eze told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday at the ongoing 33rd Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu that the meter provision was in line with National Mass Metering Programme of the Federal Government.
He stated that 92,300 customers were metered during their phase zero mass metering which did not cover the customers in the zone.
According to him, by the time the phase 1 metering will commence, it will close the metering gap currently being experienced in the South-East.
Eze said the company was running two meter programmes- the National Mass Metering Programme and Meter Access Provision Programme to meet the demand of its customers.
The Meter Access Provision, he said, was a programme designed to close the metering gap which was the major challenge of the distribution companies in the country.
“It allows customers to pay for the meter and will be refunded through energy consumption, stressing that “As you are using it, fraction will be deducted”.
“Efforts is ongoing to address the issue of meter, adding that it required time and huge resources.
“That is why Federal Government through Central Bank of Nigeria provided loan for the distribution companies to procure meters” Eze said.
He however, urged customers in the zone to be patient assuring them that everyone would be metered in no distance time.
On why they participated in the fair, Eze said to interface with customers, attend to their needs and complaints as well as informing them of some development in their operation.
Eze also said EEDC recorded over 20 cases of vandalism across the South-East between February and March, 2022two of the vandals were apprehended, tried and sentenced to two to three years imprisonment respectively.
The communication officer stated that it was difficult for the company to deploy security agencies to man their installations, saying they were over 30, 000 subsections across the South-East.
According to him, most of the vandals were arrested and handed over to security agencies by vigilance groups.
“The major challenge to our operation is vandalism and it is on the increase. We want our customers to be vigilant,” Eze appealed.
He said that the company had engaged major stakeholders such as security agencies, Neighborhood Associations, Landlords and traditional rulers to protect the installations within their environment.
Eze stated further that the company on monthly basis recorded 40 per cent losses due to vandalism in the region.
