Nigerians have been lamenting poor electricity supply despite ‘crazy’ bills from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, but now it gets worse as consumers of electricity may from April 25 electricity consumers may pay between N25,000 and N50,000 for pre-paid meters 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 meters to customers across the country sequel to the failed free meter 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.
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. Consumers have however decried the new arrangement as they say it hardly assures of PHCN’s efficiency in giving out prepaid metres.
Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, who confirmed the development 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.
The Commission also disclosed that five Distribution Companies, DISCOs, would be used for the pilot scheme of CAPMI. They include Eko, Ibadan, Benin, Kano and Abuja DISCOs.
Amadi explained that the Commission was currently evaluating tenders submitted by bidders.
“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.
“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.”
