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Consumers Protest As Discos Hike Meter Price By 28% - Politics - Nairaland 6i5x37

Consumers Protest As Discos Hike Meter Price By 28% (8847 Views)

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HenryThegreat1(m): 5:29am On Nov 07, 2024
Power distribution companies in Nigeria have announced an increase in the price for various electricity meter models, marking the second price hike in four months.

Power consumers kicked against the development, describing it as “wicked”, considering the economic hardship nationwide currently.

According to the Discos, the cost of a single-phase meter has risen from approximately N117,000 to as much as N149,800.

This amount indicates an increase of 28.03 per cent or N32,800, depending on the distribution company and meter vendor.


The new prices posted on the official X handle of the Discos on Wednesday were scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

It also reflects the deregulation of meter asset providers as directed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

This upward revision follows an earlier increase in August 2024, further amplifying concerns among electricity consumers about affordability and accessibility.

An analysis of the documents revealed that meter prices vary across Discos, influenced by vendors and meter models (single-phase and three-phase).

Eko Disco pegged the price of its single-phase meter between N135,987.5 and N161,035, while a three-phase meter was pegged between N226,600 and N266,600.

Ibadan Disco said customers will pay between N130,998 and N142,548 for a single-phase meter and N226,556.25–NN232,008 for a three-phase-meter.

Customers under Abuja Disco will pay N123,130.53 – NN147,812.5 for single-phase meters and N206,345.65 – NN236,500 for three-phase meters.

Kano Electricity Distribution said its customers will pay N127,925–N129,999 for a single-phase meter and N223,793–NN235,425 for a three-phase meter.

Lastly, Kaduna Disco said N131,150 — N142,548.94 would be paid for single-phase meters and N220,375 — N232,008.04 for three-phase meters.


In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission introduced a significant policy shift by announcing the deregulation of meter prices under the Meter Asset Provider scheme for end- customers.

The move was to address lingering issues surrounding meter supply and pricing transparency within the electricity sector.

According to NERC’s order, meter prices under the MAP scheme will now be determined through competitive bidding rather than being centralised.

This shift is expected to foster greater competition among meter providers, ultimately improving cost efficiency and service delivery for end s.


Additionally, the deregulation removes earlier operational restrictions, allowing MAP permit holders to provide metering services across all electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.

However, MAPs must meet specific regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and maintain quality standards in service delivery.

Previously, NERC regulated meter prices, which were often subsidised across all DisCos to reduce costs for customers. While this model aimed to make metering affordable, it inadvertently stifled competition and limited transparency in the supply chain.

As a result, Discos and customers were unable to negotiate or explore better deals from meter vendors, contributing to inefficiencies in the system.


FCC warns DisCos against metering abuses
With deregulation now in place, NERC anticipates a more dynamic metering ecosystem where customers and Discos can benefit from competitive pricing, improved service quality, and greater ability among meter providers.

Meters are sold directly by the meter asset providers but the application will be done through Discos’ portals.

Some of the meter vendors are Mojec Asset Management Company, Wellsun Intelligent Technology, Gosslink Engineering, Turbo Energy Ltd, MBH Power, CIG Metering Assets, among others.

The meter asset providers had protested that the price approved by NERC was below the landing or production cost of the meters.

For days, meter application portals of the Discos were shut as the vendors refused to supply the product at a rate below its cost.

The Chief Executive Officer of Fermadec Group, Fola Akinola, had told one of our correspondents in April that the Discos shut down their meter application portals because the manufacturers and the Discos were regularising the prices of meters to reflect the current economic realities.

Akinola noted that the meter prices then were no longer sustainable, considering the exchange rate.

He said the NERC needed to stop fixing the prices of prepaid meters because the exchange rate was not stable.

“Before, the price used to be fixed, but now, each seller is going to give his or her price, depending on the type of meter,” he said.

After weeks of negotiation, the regulator approved an increase in meter prices to reflect the current reality in the foreign exchange market.

While announcing the new prices in May, the Discos disclosed that a customer would have his meter installed within 10 working days. However, reports from customers indicated that some of the vendors are not abiding by the rules.

It was also said the prices would be reviewed monthly after a competitive bid process by the vendors.

Consumers kick

The Executive Director of the Electricity Consumers Protection and Advocacy Centre, Princewill Okorie, rejected the new meter prices, saying there are no justifications for it.

He emphasised that the Discos were given N59bn from the N200bn earmarked for the National Mass Metering Programme in 2020, saying they only paid back N7bn.

“What do you want me to say? They keep increasing the meter price, why are they wicked? N200bn was earmarked for the NMMP that was to be implemented in three phases. Only the pilot phase of N59bn was implemented. And what the 11 Discos could pay back was only N7bn. What did they use the rest of the money for?

“Since after that N59bn, what has happened to the rest of the money when you removed N59bn from N200bn? Are they not the same people who are paying for this meter that are paying for the shortfall as part of their electricity bills? The regulator increased the tariff, saying they wanted the Discos to get money to pay back the loan. Who are the people that got the meters?

“Let them stop taking Nigerians as fools. The meter acquisition fund, what did they use it for? So, it’s not justified at all. I don’t know why they want to keep inflicting punishment on Nigerian consumers. Let them for the N200bn for the national mass metering programme,” he said.

Okorie argued that “in other countries, how much is a meter? What is the price of a one-phase meter or three-phase compared to what they are asking Nigerians to pay?”

When told that the exchange rate was blamed for the meter price hike, he replied, “The N200bn, where is it? Is it the exchange rate that made the Discos not pay back the N59bn loan? Between 2020 and 2024, they were only able to pay N7bn. Why are consumers paying for meters when there is a meter acquisition fund?


https://punchng.com/consumers-protest-as-discos-hike-meter-price-by-28/

1 Like

Deltafirstson(m): 5:31am On Nov 07, 2024
I swear tinubu is a very wicked ruler.

32 Likes

helinues: 5:34am On Nov 07, 2024
Toh
helinues: 5:35am On Nov 07, 2024
Deltafirstson:
I swear tinubu is a very wicked ruler.

Tinubu don become Disco's boss.

As the light is improving so as the hike

48 Likes 4 Shares

HenryThegreat1(m): 5:36am On Nov 07, 2024
helinues:


Tinubu don become Disco's boss.

As the light is improving so as the hike

Light improving??

30 Likes

helinues: 5:39am On Nov 07, 2024
HenryThegreat1:

Light improving??

Yes it is. Forget about the grid collapsed, it has been improving for some months now

Why is Adelabu, minister for power being praised?

40 Likes 1 Share

Bobloco: 5:42am On Nov 07, 2024
helinues:


Tinubu don become Disco's boss.

As the light is improving so as the hike




Truly, it has been said and proven that Tinubu's urchins, BATerians, and paid agents are the most unreasonable and senseless set of Homo sapiens to have ever emerged on the surface of the Earth.

67 Likes 4 Shares

Bobloco: 5:46am On Nov 07, 2024
helinues:


Yes it is. Forget about the grid collapsed, it has been improving for some months now

Why is Adelabu, minister for power being praised?

Praised by clowns like you.

47 Likes 1 Share

helinues: 5:47am On Nov 07, 2024
Bobloco:




Truly, it has been said and proven that Tinubu's urchins, BATerians, and paid agents are the most unreasonable and senseless set of Homo sapiens to have ever emerged on the surface of the Earth.

Bobloco:


Praised by clowns like you.

Tell NL'S the correlation between your comments and mine not to talk about the thread itself.

You and your likes only know about tantrums, not interested in making any contributions to the topic of discussion.

Same repeated boring attitude for years.

Eish

46 Likes

ivandragon: 6:02am On Nov 07, 2024
Deregulated capitalism is a recipe for disaster and exploitation in a country like Nigeria.

Bat is just out to ensure there is enough money to loot for himself and cronies which is why he is leaving the masses at the mercy of cutthroat capitalist.

If bat had his way, he would not pay public servants salaries so that more money comes to him and his cronies.

5 Likes

PlasmaTV: 6:26am On Nov 07, 2024
helinues:


Yes it is. Forget about the grid collapsed, it has been improving for some months now

Why is Adelabu, minister for power being praised?
We should forget the grid collapsing? 10 times in one year, and you want us to sweep it under the carpet?

You're not a sincere person.
Modified:
Just a few hours ago, this slowpoke said that electricity was improving. Now, the stupid grid has collapsed again. This country, under Tinubu, is an absolute joke.

27 Likes 1 Share

AwokenVawulence: 6:28am On Nov 07, 2024
Elections have consequences

12 Likes 1 Share

helinues: 6:29am On Nov 07, 2024
PlasmaTV:

We should forget the grid collapsing? 10 times in one year, and you want us to sweep it under the carpet?

You're not a sincere person.

10 days in how many days in a year?

Have you even been knowing about grid collapsed in the past? Have they been making news?

44 Likes

press9jatv: 6:33am On Nov 07, 2024
HenryThegreat1:
Power distribution companies in Nigeria have announced an increase in the price for various electricity meter models, marking the second price hike in four months.

Power consumers kicked against the development, describing it as “wicked”, considering the economic hardship nationwide currently.

According to the Discos, the cost of a single-phase meter has risen from approximately N117,000 to as much as N149,800.

This amount indicates an increase of 28.03 per cent or N32,800, depending on the distribution company and meter vendor.

The new prices posted on the official X handle of the Discos on Wednesday were scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

It also reflects the deregulation of meter asset providers as directed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

This upward revision follows an earlier increase in August 2024, further amplifying concerns among electricity consumers about affordability and accessibility.

An analysis of the documents revealed that meter prices vary across Discos, influenced by vendors and meter models (single-phase and three-phase).

Eko Disco pegged the price of its single-phase meter between N135,987.5 and N161,035, while a three-phase meter was pegged between N226,600 and N266,600.

Ibadan Disco said customers will pay between N130,998 and N142,548 for a single-phase meter and N226,556.25–NN232,008 for a three-phase-meter.

Customers under Abuja Disco will pay N123,130.53 – NN147,812.5 for single-phase meters and N206,345.65 – NN236,500 for three-phase meters.

Kano Electricity Distribution said its customers will pay N127,925–N129,999 for a single-phase meter and N223,793–NN235,425 for a three-phase meter.

Lastly, Kaduna Disco said N131,150 — N142,548.94 would be paid for single-phase meters and N220,375 — N232,008.04 for three-phase meters.

In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission introduced a significant policy shift by announcing the deregulation of meter prices under the Meter Asset Provider scheme for end- customers.

The move was to address lingering issues surrounding meter supply and pricing transparency within the electricity sector.

According to NERC’s order, meter prices under the MAP scheme will now be determined through competitive bidding rather than being centralised.

This shift is expected to foster greater competition among meter providers, ultimately improving cost efficiency and service delivery for end s.

Additionally, the deregulation removes earlier operational restrictions, allowing MAP permit holders to provide metering services across all electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.

However, MAPs must meet specific regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and maintain quality standards in service delivery.

Previously, NERC regulated meter prices, which were often subsidised across all DisCos to reduce costs for customers. While this model aimed to make metering affordable, it inadvertently stifled competition and limited transparency in the supply chain.

As a result, Discos and customers were unable to negotiate or explore better deals from meter vendors, contributing to inefficiencies in the system.

Related News
DisCos raise meter prices by 28.03%, second time in four months
Arbitrary billing of customers unacceptable, FG warns Discos
FCC warns DisCos against metering abuses
With deregulation now in place, NERC anticipates a more dynamic metering ecosystem where customers and Discos can benefit from competitive pricing, improved service quality, and greater ability among meter providers.

Meters are sold directly by the meter asset providers but the application will be done through Discos’ portals.

Some of the meter vendors are Mojec Asset Management Company, Wellsun Intelligent Technology, Gosslink Engineering, Turbo Energy Ltd, MBH Power, CIG Metering Assets, among others.

The meter asset providers had protested that the price approved by NERC was below the landing or production cost of the meters.

For days, meter application portals of the Discos were shut as the vendors refused to supply the product at a rate below its cost.

The Chief Executive Officer of Fermadec Group, Fola Akinola, had told one of our correspondents in April that the Discos shut down their meter application portals because the manufacturers and the Discos were regularising the prices of meters to reflect the current economic realities.

Akinola noted that the meter prices then were no longer sustainable, considering the exchange rate.

He said the NERC needed to stop fixing the prices of prepaid meters because the exchange rate was not stable.

“Before, the price used to be fixed, but now, each seller is going to give his or her price, depending on the type of meter,” he said.

After weeks of negotiation, the regulator approved an increase in meter prices to reflect the current reality in the foreign exchange market.

While announcing the new prices in May, the Discos disclosed that a customer would have his meter installed within 10 working days. However, reports from customers indicated that some of the vendors are not abiding by the rules.

It was also said the prices would be reviewed monthly after a competitive bid process by the vendors.

Consumers kick

The Executive Director of the Electricity Consumers Protection and Advocacy Centre, Princewill Okorie, rejected the new meter prices, saying there are no justifications for it.

He emphasised that the Discos were given N59bn from the N200bn earmarked for the National Mass Metering Programme in 2020, saying they only paid back N7bn.

“What do you want me to say? They keep increasing the meter price, why are they wicked? N200bn was earmarked for the NMMP that was to be implemented in three phases. Only the pilot phase of N59bn was implemented. And what the 11 Discos could pay back was only N7bn. What did they use the rest of the money for?

“Since after that N59bn, what has happened to the rest of the money when you removed N59bn from N200bn? Are they not the same people who are paying for this meter that are paying for the shortfall as part of their electricity bills? The regulator increased the tariff, saying they wanted the Discos to get money to pay back the loan. Who are the people that got the meters?

“Let them stop taking Nigerians as fools. The meter acquisition fund, what did they use it for? So, it’s not justified at all. I don’t know why they want to keep inflicting punishment on Nigerian consumers. Let them for the N200bn for the national mass metering programme,” he said.

Okorie argued that “in other countries, how much is a meter? What is the price of a one-phase meter or three-phase compared to what they are asking Nigerians to pay?”

When told that the exchange rate was blamed for the meter price hike, he replied, “The N200bn, where is it? Is it the exchange rate that made the Discos not pay back the N59bn loan? Between 2020 and 2024, they were only able to pay N7bn. Why are consumers paying for meters when there is a meter acquisition fund?


https://punchng.com/consumers-protest-as-discos-hike-meter-price-by-28/
why the increase in price for Godsake
press9jatv: 6:33am On Nov 07, 2024
helinues:


10 days in how many days in a year?

Have you even been knowing about grid collapsed in the past? Have they been making news?
it’s 10 times and not 10 days

4 Likes

PlasmaTV: 6:37am On Nov 07, 2024
helinues:


10 days in how many days in a year?

Have you even been knowing about grid collapsed in the past? Have they been making news?
Oh my gosh! You really are defending this. It's so sad.

It's like saying that banks are justified for zero network because "in how many days a year". That's sad that you think this way.

18 Likes

HenryThegreat1(m): 6:40am On Nov 07, 2024
helinues:


Yes it is. Forget about the grid collapsed, it has been improving for some months now

Why is Adelabu, minister for power being praised?
Praised? By who? And where? Why are u like this na

2 Likes

JASONjnr(m): 6:52am On Nov 07, 2024
helinues:
Toh

The pains people are going through and you keep buying data to come online to defend this incompetent Tinubu and when his policies are defined you only have this to say?

Even if you're not feeling the pains, why not see through many other people going from something to nothing on a daily? While Tinubu's children are lavishing money around and making irrelevant donations.....

12 Likes

helinues: 7:22am On Nov 07, 2024
JASONjnr:


The pains people are going through and you keep buying data to come online to defend this incompetent Tinubu and when his policies are defined you only have this to say?

Even if you're not feeling the pains, why not see through many other people going from something to nothing on a daily? While Tinubu's children are lavishing money around and making irrelevant donations.....

If you are exempted from the pain, so am I

49 Likes

JASONjnr(m): 7:24am On Nov 07, 2024
helinues:


If you are exempted from the pain, so am I


You don't have conscience.,..

4 Likes

Akfrenzy(m): 7:49am On Nov 07, 2024
grin
AntiChristian: 7:50am On Nov 07, 2024
Waoh!

No more subsidy on fuel, electricity and Forex!
kennyz247(m): 7:50am On Nov 07, 2024
Nigeria is finished..
What do common Nigerian
benefit from this scam APC government self?

6 Likes

Fatbam005: 7:52am On Nov 07, 2024
Dem no care how ordinary citizen dey survive
Heavyweights(m): 7:55am On Nov 07, 2024
T-Pain wan bend our neck o

2 Likes

Confirm4real(m): 7:55am On Nov 07, 2024
Awalokan bayi o cheesy

1 Like

Heavyweights(m): 7:55am On Nov 07, 2024
T-Pain wan bend our neck o...

1 Like

Franchise21(m): 7:59am On Nov 07, 2024
helinues:


Yes it is. Forget about the grid collapsed, it has been improving for some months now

Why is Adelabu, minister for power being praised?
This Ogbeni na clown🤣😂

8 Likes

goldfish27(m): 8:00am On Nov 07, 2024
I swear your matter dey always make me get running stomach.
abeg are you from mars?


helinues:


Tinubu don become Disco's boss.

As the light is improving so as the hike

2 Likes

MondayOmoAdugbo(m): 8:07am On Nov 07, 2024
.

Somebody hellllp ooo

(1) Reply)

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