EEDC denies resetting pre-paid meters for increased profit in Abia

 Feb. 8, 2018

By Ijendu Iheaka

 

 The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has denied allegations of tampering with the factory settings of new prepaid meters which Aba consumers made against its staff in Abia state.

The Aba customers had said that EEDC staff reset pre-paid meters in order to increase the company’s profits and to discourage potential customers from demanding for the pre-paid meters.

According to them, the action encourages illegal acts by the EEDC staff which includes over billing, cutting and taking customers’ cables and reselling them to others for quick money. 

The Head, Communications, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Mr Emeka Ezeh while reacting to the allegations said that their staff do not have the technical capacity to reset meters.

“This is not true, none of our staff has the expertise to reset or work on these meters, they are hybrid meters and smart in nature...except if the fellow is ready to damage the meter. 

“Don't forget that these meters are approved and certified by Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) - the regulatory agency responsible for certifying meters before they are even brought into the country and installed for customers.

“It is also possible that there is a deliberate ploy to discourage customers from accepting the meter;

“Remember, if all customers have prepaid meter, there won't be need for the monthly disconnection of customers, except where they have been found to have bypassed their meter.

“Some of our corrupt staff are already used to this monthly extortion of customers who have not paid their bill, and the prepaid meter will bring an end to that source of extra income for them.

 “So, as a way to still retain their source of extra money, they might be discouraging customers from accepting the meter in the guise that "it is running fast”, he said.

Eze said that the pre-paid meters were designed to capture the quantity of energy a customer consumes hence its reading will be determined by the quality of appliances a consumer uses in his house.

He counseled EEDC customers to use energy saving bulbs and low-power consuming appliances stressing that they should turn off their electricity supply when not in use to reduce their electricity bill.

He said that learning to use electricity after being metered without wasting it would help metered customers to save money.

 He urged any customer who feels his meter has been "reset to run fast and consume much money", to complain to NEMSA and request a re-certification of the said meter.

Ezeh called on EEDC customers to report any of its staff found to have tampered with the pre-paid meter for proper actions.