The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (Kaduna Electric) has announced a significant initiative to enhance its service delivery and address the persistent challenge of metering gaps within its operational area. The company has declared its readiness to commence the installation of 5,608 meters for customers on Band A feeders, marking the first phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) program. This initiative aligns with a broader national strategy orchestrated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to bridge the metering gap and improve the overall efficiency of electricity distribution across the country. Importantly, Kaduna Electric has affirmed that these new meters will be provided to customers free of charge, alleviating the financial burden often associated with meter acquisition.
This commitment extends beyond the installation of new meters to encompass the replacement of faulty and obsolete meters. This proactive approach addresses a critical concern raised by NERC regarding the eventual inability of obsolete meters to vend electricity tokens, potentially leading to a resurgence of estimated billing practices, a scenario detrimental to both customer satisfaction and revenue collection. Kaduna Electric’s commitment to replacing these outdated meters preemptively safeguards customers from this potential disruption and ensures their continued access to reliable and accurately measured electricity supply. This dual approach of installing new meters and replacing faulty ones reflects a comprehensive strategy to enhance service quality and customer experience.
The MAF program, a collaborative effort between the Federal Government, NERC, and the various electricity distribution companies (DisCos), represents a significant stride towards resolving the pervasive metering challenges within the Nigerian power sector. The program functions by pooling contributions from all DisCos into a central fund dedicated to procuring and deploying meters to customers at no cost. This collaborative funding mechanism ensures a consistent and equitable distribution of resources to address the metering gap nationwide. Kaduna Electric’s participation in this program, along with the proactive measures it has outlined, underscores its commitment to aligning with national objectives and contributing to the overall improvement of the electricity sector.
The strategic focus on Band A feeders in the initial phase of meter deployment is a crucial aspect of Kaduna Electric’s plan. Band A feeders typically represent areas with high energy consumption and consistent revenue generation. Prioritizing these feeders ensures that a significant portion of the customer base benefits from accurate metering, contributing to improved revenue collection for the DisCo and reducing the incidence of estimated billing. The company has also emphasized network upgrades alongside the meter deployment to further enhance service efficiency and reliability. These upgrades aim to improve the overall infrastructure supporting the electricity supply, ensuring the effectiveness of the new metering systems and optimizing power delivery to customers.
The implementation of the MAF program within Kaduna Electric’s operational area is being overseen by the Head of Metering Projects, Abba Aliyu Maiborno. He highlighted the program’s potential to significantly mitigate challenges faced by the DisCo, including Aggregate Technical, Commercial, and Collection (ATC&C) losses. ATC&C losses represent a combination of technical losses due to infrastructure inefficiencies and commercial losses due to theft, billing inaccuracies, and other non-technical factors. By accurately metering electricity consumption, the MAF program can significantly reduce commercial losses and improve revenue collection. Furthermore, Maiborno emphasized the completion of the Know Your Customer (KYC) exercise on identified feeders, a crucial step in ensuring the successful and targeted deployment of the new meters. The KYC exercise allows the DisCo to gather essential customer data, ensuring that the meter installation process is efficient and effectively reaches the intended recipients.
Kaduna Electric’s commitment to customer engagement is evident in its appeal for cooperation during the meter installation process. The DisCo has urged customers to provide the necessary data to facilitate the smooth and efficient deployment of the meters. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of customer participation in achieving the shared goal of improved electricity service delivery. The successful implementation of this initiative relies on the active involvement of both the DisCo and its customers, working together to overcome the metering challenges and create a more transparent and efficient electricity distribution system. This public announcement serves as both an informative update and a call to action, encouraging customers to participate in this transformative initiative. While Kaduna Electric takes the lead, other DisCos are also gearing up to distribute meters under the MAF scheme, signifying a nationwide effort to address the metering gap and improve service delivery across the Nigerian power sector. This coordinated approach promises a significant improvement in the electricity distribution landscape, benefiting consumers and DisCos alike.
