FG supplies 75,000 free electricity meters to BEDC franchise states

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), on Thursday, said that it has received 75,000 metres from the Federal Government under its free metering programme for its four franchise states.

Of the lot, the electricity Distribution Company (Disco),said it allocated 38,000 to its three regions of Benin, Uromi and Auchi regions of Edo State.

BEEN Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jonathan Lawani, disclosed this at a one-day stakeholders engagement meeting held in Benin City.

Lawani added that a total of 161,000 meters were being expected from the Federal Government for the BEDC.

He therefore cautioned customers against paying for the meters or its installation.

Lawani, however, regretted that customers were rejecting the meters on the assumption that the meters consumed more electricity.

According to him, “We have received 75,000 for BEDC for the four states of Ondo, Edo, Delta and Ekiti States. The programme is going to be 161,000 meters for BEDC.

“Edo State alone has gotten over 38,000 allocated because we serve four states. Out of the four states we serve, we allocated 38,000 to the three regions in Edo State and installation is ongoing.

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“These metres comes at no cost to the customers. We have various channels of escalating any complain. We will not hesitate to instill discipline among our people. In Auchi, we arrested an installer who charged money to install metre.

“These new meters do not consume electricity as being speculated. It is programmed to perform optimally. They have been certified. We are advising our customers to imbibe the culture of energy management.

Do not put on your light when you don’t need them. Try to manage your energy and the metre will not run fast. They are good metres that have been certified. We observe that people are rejecting and insulting our installers.” Lawani bemoaned.

On electricity theft, the BEDC boss urged customers not to tamper with metre even as he vowed that offenders would be punished.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has assured that it remains committed to establishing a Meter Assembly plant in the state.

The state Commissioner for Power, Mr. Paul Usenbor, who spoke at a stakeholders engagement on power, said the priority of Governor Monday Okpebholo was the provision of 24-hours power supply across the state.

He said the engagement had shown strong commitment for stronger infrastructure, for better service, for more standardised metering and faster response to services.

“On the long term, our expectation is to have better power supply for our citizens and public institution.

“The long term is more participation of private sector partners that are coming into the state. His Excellency has mandated that metering Assembly will be done in Edo State.”