Metering Still a Challenge, says NERC at EEDC Consumers’ Engagement Forum in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has identified metering as one of the major complaints in the electricity industry.

Senior Manager, NERC, Abuja, Chinedu Anyigor stated this on Thursday in Awka, Anambra state at a 3-day Town hall/ Complaint Resolution Forum for customers of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

Speaking during his presentation, Anyigor encouraged consumers uncomfortable with estimated billing to key into the metering programme, adding that federal government approved national mass metering programme to ensure balance.

He however revealed that EEDC has only 704,801 metered customers out of its total customer base of 1,369,440 in the South East region.

According to him, both customers and distribution companies are affected by metering issues, regretting that some customers consume electricity without payment leading to revenue losses for the distribution firms.

He also decried consumers’ ignorance to their rights and obligations, stressing that customers have rights to safe reliable electricity service as well as active electricity meters.

“As of June 2025, in the South East region where EEDC distributes electricity, 704,801 out of a total of 1,369,440 customers are metered, while 691,639 remain unmetered.

“We encourage residents who are not comfortable with estimated billing to key into the metering programme.

Head, Customer Protection, NERC, Dr Zubairu Babatunde said the meeting was an opportunity for the Commission to meditate between customers and service providers towards resolving electricity supply issues.

“The commission came up with the initiative to relate with consumers in the presence of the operators with regards to electricity supply, including metering, billing, transformer and other issues.

“Being a business transaction, there are bound to be complains. But as a regulatory body and umpire, our duty is to mediate between the customers and service providers.

“We don’t want to sit down at the headquarters and assume all is well,” he explained.

Managing Director, EEDC, Vincent Ekwekwu acknowledged challenges facing the power firm, assuring its readiness to addressing them.

Ekwekwu, represented by Chief Information Officer, EEDC, Idika Okechukwu solicited collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure improved quality service delivery to its customers across the zone.

“EEDC is here to serve and not to fight. We’re here to listen, feel the pulse of our customers, to resolve their issues, as well as improve on the things we’ve not been doing well.

“Our billing, metering, reconciliation team, as well as complaint resolution and operation team are on ground to assist.

“If you need your meter to be installed in 72hours, we’re ready for it,” he said.

In his presentation, Group Head, Health, Safety & Environment, EEDC, Dr. Francis Iwu regretted absence of earthing mechanisms in many buildings in the region, which he said had claimed lives and property over the years.

He also listed sighting of structures, water storage tank and shops under high tension wires, socket overload and other violations to power regulations as other factors posing dangers to consumers.

He said, “Many of the buildings in the Southeast lack earthing mechanisms. In the event of any leakage, some parts of the building will be shocking, including the refrigerator, gates and railings.

“Besides, the meter won’t function appropriately. That’s why people complain about the “fastness” of the credit in their meters.

“The earthing serves as protective connection to the earth. What the lightening arrestor at the roof top of the building does is to discharge the current into the earth in the event of lightening.

“When we talk about safety, nothing is too costly to be invested to ensure protection of the house and its occupants.

“Anyone who claims safety is costly should try accident to know the one that is more costly.”

Also speaking, Managing Director, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Mr Aliyu Tukuh, stressed the need for certification of electrical installation.

Represented by Area Inspecting Engineer, Mr Osita Obiukwu, the MD urged consumers to ensure their facilities were earthed and meters tested and certified before installation by qualified officers.

Present at the meeting included State Director, NOA, Mr Edozie Ajegbo, State Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu, Representative of Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Mrs Justina Amah, among other personalities.