Minna, – The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on Thursday said 4,000 prepaid meters would be installed in Niger as part of the 5,000 free smart meter package.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AEDC commenced the smart meter installation in December last year in Tunga area of Minna, the state capital.
The AEDC has installed free 1,000 smart meters out of the 5,000 earmarked for the state.
Dr Mazi Akubuko, AEDC Deputy Regional Manager in Niger, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Minna.
“We commenced installation of the metres in December last year. So far we have installed 1,000.
“The balance of 4,000 prepaid meters just arrived and we will commence installation by February this year,’’ he said.
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Akubuko explained that after successful distribution of the meters in Tunga then it would be extended to other parts of the state.
He said that the customers in the area were beginning to embrace the measure as it would save them from the problem of estimated bills.
Mr Mathew Okeafor, an electricity consumer in the Tunga, told NAN that he was in his office when he received a telephone call from the AEDC to install the meter at his residence.
Okeafor said that no money was paid for the meter, adding that it has been functioning as it indicates electricity bill “pay as you consume’’.
“Since they installed this meter in December I have not quarrelled over electricity bills again. This is a meter that everybody should get,’’ he said.
NAN also reports that the AEDC smart meter programme was part of the company’s effort to provide meters to all its customers within the next four years. (NAN)