BEDC receives 75,000 FG's free meters
The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) said it has received 75,000 metres from the Federal Government under its free metering programme for its four franchise states. It said it allocated
The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) said it has received 75,000 metres from the Federal Government under its free metering programme for its four franchise states.
It said it allocated 38,000 of the free metres to its three regions of Benin, Uromi, and Auchi regions of Edo State.
This is just as the Edo State Government said it remained committed to establishing a Meter Assembly plant.
Edo Commissioner for Power, Hon Paul Usenbor, who spoke at a stakeholders engagement on power, said the priority of Governor Monday Okpebholo was the provision of 24-hour power supply across the state.
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He said the engagement has shown a strong commitment to stronger infrastructure, better service, for more standardised metering, and faster response to services.
"In the long term, we expect to have a better power supply for our citizens and public institutions.
"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."
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of BEDC Electricity Plc, Engr. Jonathan Lawani disclosed this at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Benin City.
Engr. Lawani said a total of 161,000 meters was expected from the Federal Government for the BEDC.
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Lawani cautioned customers against paying for the meters or their installation.
He, however, raised the alarm that customers were rejecting the meters on assumptions 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.
"These metres come at no cost to the customers. We have various channels for escalating any complaints. We will not hesitate to instill discipline among our people. In Auchi, we arrested an installer who charged money to install a metre.
"These new meters do not consume electricity as 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 turn on your light when you don't need it. 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."
On electricity theft, the BEDC boss urged customers not to tamper with the meter, even as he vowed that offenders would be punished.
