FG approves fresh hike in prepaid metres
Federal Government has approved an upward review of the unit prices of pre-paid electricity metres in the country.
Te approval which was given through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) also detailed the new prices which the units can be sold.
The development comes barely weeks after the government had announced moves to provide the products free to consumers to improve electricity distribution in the country amid mounting complaints against the estimated electricity billing regime of the distribution companies (DisCos)
This was contained in a circular dated September 5 and signed by the commission’s Chairman, Sanusi Garba; and Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye.
The circular from the NERC said a single-phase pre-paid metre that cost N58,661.69 would now cost N81,975.16, while three-phase pre-paid metres had increased from N109,684.36 to N143,836.10.
The circular also noted that the new prices were to ensure a fair and reasonable pricing of metres to both Metre Asset Providers (MAPs) and end-user customers.
“Ensure MAP’s ability to recover reasonable costs associated with meter procurement and maintenance while ensuring that their pricing structure allows for a viable return on investment,” the statement read.
“Evaluate the affordability of meter services for consumers, aiming to prevent excessive pricing that could burden end-users. Ensure that MAPs are able to provide meters to end-use customers in the prevailing economic realities.”
