From April
25 electricity consumers may pay between N25,000 and N50,000 for pre-paid
metres for the single phase and three phase models, respectively, under
the new Credited Advance Pay for Metering Implementation, CAPMI, scheme.
25 electricity consumers may pay between N25,000 and N50,000 for pre-paid
metres for the single phase and three phase models, respectively, under
the new Credited Advance Pay for Metering Implementation, CAPMI, scheme.
The price tag is aimed at fast tracking the
deployment of pre-paid metres to customers across the country sequel to the
failed free metre scheme initially proposed by the Federal Government.
deployment of pre-paid metres to customers across the country sequel to the
failed free metre scheme initially proposed by the Federal Government.
CAPMI became necessary following complaints by
consumers about poor electricity service delivery in the face of continued
estimated billing by Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN.
consumers about poor electricity service delivery in the face of continued
estimated billing by Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN.
Under the new CAPMI arrangement, metres are
still regarded as free, but are facilitated through advance payments, which are
expected to be refunded through a rebate on a fixed charge element from
customers’ bills.
still regarded as free, but are facilitated through advance payments, which are
expected to be refunded through a rebate on a fixed charge element from
customers’ bills.
Confirming the development, Chairman, Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, in a telephone chat
said the single phase pre-paid metres would be sold for N25,000, while three
phase metres would go for N50,000, adding that final arrangement and announcement
will be made on April 25, when CAPMI would be rolled out fully.
Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, in a telephone chat
said the single phase pre-paid metres would be sold for N25,000, while three
phase metres would go for N50,000, adding that final arrangement and announcement
will be made on April 25, when CAPMI would be rolled out fully.
However, it appears that nothing really has
changed as the new prices for the pre-paid metres are similar to what
electricity consumers paid prior to June 1, 2012, when government declared the
metres free.
changed as the new prices for the pre-paid metres are similar to what
electricity consumers paid prior to June 1, 2012, when government declared the
metres free.
Under CAPMI, the Commission also disclosed that
five Distribution Companies, DISCOs, would be used for the pilot scheme. They
include Eko, Ibadan, Benin, Kano and Abuja DISCOs.
five Distribution Companies, DISCOs, would be used for the pilot scheme. They
include Eko, Ibadan, Benin, Kano and Abuja DISCOs.
Amadi explained that the Commission was
currently evaluating tenders submitted by bidders, adding that the call for
tenders had closed, while details of shortlisted vendors had been sent to the
Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, for ratification and eventual approval.
currently evaluating tenders submitted by bidders, adding that the call for
tenders had closed, while details of shortlisted vendors had been sent to the
Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, for ratification and eventual approval.
He said: “We are currently evaluating the bids
submitted by various vendors. We don’t have a specific number of vendors to use
but the preferred bidders will be announced.
submitted by various vendors. We don’t have a specific number of vendors to use
but the preferred bidders will be announced.
“Nigerians should be patient with us as we are
working hard to come out with a hitch-free programme. The payment process is
also being looked into to ensure that things are transparent.”
working hard to come out with a hitch-free programme. The payment process is
also being looked into to ensure that things are transparent.”
Apapa Business Unit of PHCN, has appealed to
customers in its network to pay up their debts which had risen to N2 billion.
customers in its network to pay up their debts which had risen to N2 billion.
Source: Vanguard
