The Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau will supervise the process of the sale and installation of 3,000 units of pre-paid meters to interested electricity consumers resident in Ado-Ekiti metropolis by one of the recently licensed Meter Access Providers, Map, in the state, starting from the first week of February 2025.
The State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, who made this known in Ado-Ekiti, stressed that the move is part of steps taken by the state government towards eliminating the estimated billing system and the attendant incorrect charges being experienced by many electricity consumers in Ekiti State.
He emphasised that the move is designed to ensure that electricity consumers in Ado-Ekiti have adequate access to pre-paid meters, enabling them to pay for the exact power they consume.
Aluko recalled that, recently, residents of communities such as Ijero, Ode, Aisegba, Erinmope, and Ipole-Iloro Ekiti, which were on bulk meters, were taken off the bulk metering/estimated billing system and were given the opportunity to purchase individual pre-paid meters. He added that about 1,104 pre-paid meters were sold and distributed to interested households and businesses within these communities.
The commissioner stated that the use of pre-paid meters by electricity consumers is also expected to reduce electricity wastage and ultimately reduce unnecessary pressure on the distribution grid, as individual customers would be more mindful of managing their energy consumption. He also highlighted that customers would have access to detailed analysis of their energy usage on their devices.
He expressed appreciation to the state government under the leadership of Mr Biodun Oyebanji for supporting ongoing reforms in the electricity sector, a move that has made Ekiti State one of the pacesetters in the quest for energy independence in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau, Engr. David Samson, said that Meter Access Providers licensed by the State Electricity Regulatory Bureau have offered affordable meters for sale to residents at the community level across the state.
The Executive Secretary identified communities where customers have been enumerated and given individual pre-paid meters, including Ode, Ijero, Aisegba, Erinmope, and Ipole-Iloro Ekiti, adding that another batch of meters is now available for people in Ado metropolis.
He therefore charged the general public to come for the purchase of their pre-paid meters starting from Monday, 3rd February 2025, at the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau, which has been tasked with ensuring the proper coordination of the sale and distribution of meters to customers across the state.
