Lagos – The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Plc., (EKEDP) on Thursday promised consumers placed on estimated billing that their outstanding bills would be amended.
The Chief Operating Officer, EKEDP, Mr Sam Nwaire, stated this during a Town Hall Meeting with consumers from FESTAC Town, Satellite Town, Mazamaza, Amuwo and Alaba areas in Lagos.
Nwaire said that the company was aware that some consumers were having backlog of debts as a result of outrageous bills.
He said that, “ If such a consumer applies for prepaid meter, the company would not force him to pay the backlog of debts, knowing that it was outrageous.’’
Nwaire said that the company would monitor the consumer’s consumption according to the new meter for two months, to determine the amount to be deducted from his debt.
The chief operating officer urged consumers within the zone to apply for prepaid meters through Credit Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) Scheme to address the problem of outrageous bills.
He said that the distribution of free prepaid meters expected by consumers was a five-year plan by the company, adding that it might not reach some of them on time.
Nwaire urged the consumers to embrace the new tariff so that the company (EKEDP) would serve them better.
Responding, the Chairman, FESTAC Town Residents’ Association, Mr Sola Fakorede, said that consumers within the town would not pay
for the prepaid meters any longer.
Fakorede said that the installation of the meters was consumers’ right.
He said that EKEDP did not complete the installation of meters which it commenced about three years ago and “now calling on consumers to pay’’.
The chairman urged the management of EKEDP to complete what they started three years ago, saying that consumers in the area had resolved not to pay without installing the prepaid meters.
A consumer, Retired Admiral Olalekan Agbaje, urged the company to fast track its metering scheme so that consumers in the areas would have their metres on time.
“It is criminal for consumers not to pay for their consumption and it is criminal to collect money for what consumers did not use.
“There are lots of faulty transformers, underground cable and feeder pillars that need to be repaired. Do your work and we will pay our bills,’’ he said.
The Principal Manager, Public Affairs Division of EKEDP, Mr Ademola Adegoke, thanked consumers in the areas for conducting themselves in an orderly manner at the meeting.
Adegoke said the town hall meeting was held in line with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s directive to intensify consumers’ enlightenment on the new tariff and justify the increase. (NAN)
