2nd November, 2016
The Communication Officer of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in Umuahia, Mrs Cynthia Chude, said on Wednesday that the company had commenced the installation of pre-paid meters in Umuahia district.
Chude said that six pre-paid meters had so far been installed for consumers in the district.
She said that a list of at least 200 applicants was approved for the second batch of the exercise in the district.
The communication officer said the process of the installation began early in the year with the distribution of subscription forms to the customers.
She said that the process was stalled after a cross-section of the consumers protested to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) that the meters ought to be free.
She said that the smart card meters were free and described the subscription fees payable by prospective customers as `loan’ to the company.
“Customers will be repaid the amount they paid to acquire the facility within 36 months after installation, in addition to 12 per cent interest.
“As you recharge, we give you more units until the money paid to acquire the meter is fully repaid,” Chude said.
She said that a single-phase meter costs N39,375 while the three-phase category goes for N68,901.
Chude said that the district had enough supply of the meters and that installation would be effected 45 days after payment.
She said that the meter would put an end to estimated bills.
A resident of Umuahia, Mr Peter Okorie, described the development as gratifying, saying: “This is what we have been yearning for.”
A civil servant, Mr Agbai Anyim, said that it was a welcome development which should be sustained.
“Pre-paid meters will put an end to estimated bills and incessant quarrels between residents and the company,” Anyim said.