NERC’s deadline on May 1 meter roll-out, not feasible – Manufacturer


Momas Electricity Meter Manufacturing Company Limited has said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC’s directives to begin the rollout of new meters by May 1 is neither feasible nor realistic.

Chairman of the company Mr Kola Balogun, who spoke in Lagos Monday said the directive given by NERC was unachievable, considering other challenges that required attention.

NERC had on April 5 issued permits to Meter Asset Providers, MAPs to roll-out new meters starting from May 1, 2019.

Balogun said the directive cannot work, saying in the first instance, consumers need to be educated about what is expected of them to have access to MAP licensee. Consumers also have to be informed on the methods of acquiring meters, whether by payment or by investment.

“Again, every manufacturer (licensee) that wants to roll out meters needs a grace of three months to enable them to have the meters available in their warehouses.

“The modality to start rolling out meters has to be put in place viz a viz all the various documentation that are required and the infrastructure that will make deployment a smooth running.

“If we are licensed this month (April), three months are enough for us to prepare, that is April May and June, while in July we start implementation. Except for few numbers of us who have some stock at hand that can roll out but the modality to roll out is also a question.

“ Apart from NERC giving licenses, we still need processes to be put in place before meters will get to consumers because we need to train the meter installers, they need to be adequately trained on installation in consumers’ premises.

“Consumers also need to be educated on payments, there will also be an “EXCO account’’ in the process. These are challenges that require a long period.

“While that one is going on, anybody who wants to place an order from manufactures will also be signing a contract agreement for the meters.

“Those who want to import will also be taking orders for importations,’’ Balogun explained.

The indigenous meter manufacturer said he could not fathom how the NERC came up with such directive, because of the time frame required in the processes.

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