Yola DisCo Begins Deployment of 1,880 Meters to Improve Service for Band ‘A’ Customers

The Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) has started installing 1,880 meters, using funds from a recently secured N21 billion allocation aimed at enhancing service delivery for its Band ‘A’ customers.

YEDC announced it would deploy 1,500 single-phase meters and 380 three-phase meters for Band ‘A’ customers, using N243 million from the N21 billion Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) programme.

In a statement, YEDC said the installation will be conducted by authorised meter vendors over two weeks, from 18 to 30 November 2024, at no charge to the company’s customers.

As of July 2024, Yola DisCo registered 819,940 customers, with 63,477 already metered and 118,490 still unmetered, according to Blessing Tunoh, the YEDC Communications Officer.

The N21 billion Meter Acquisition Fund was approved under NERC Order No. NERC/2024/072, launching “Tranche A” of the Presidential Metering Initiative, effective from 13 June 2024.

The MAF scheme was created by the Commission to address issues with DisCo creditworthiness that have hindered meter provision in NESI, aiming to secure long-term financing for utilities through a dependable revenue stream.

The YEDC Communications Officer mentioned that targeting unmetered Band A customers within YEDC’s service area is part of ongoing efforts to ensure accurate billing and boost customer satisfaction.

She added that the deployment of prepaid meters follows the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) approval of the Meter Asset Framework (MAF), with YEDC set to install a total of 1,880 meters.

She stated, “This allocation includes 1,500 single-phase meters and 380 three-phase meters. The installations will be handled by approved vendors over a two-week period, from 18 to 30 November 2024.”

“The MAF initiative is a targeted intervention under the Presidential Metering Initiative, launched on 13 June 2024, to speed up metering for electricity users across the country.”

She also noted that the meters, acquired through the MEF framework, will be installed free of charge for YEDC customers.

YEDC has encouraged all Band A customers within its service region to cooperate with the technicians visiting their properties during the metering process.

The company reiterated its commitment to improving the quality of electricity distribution and ensuring reliable and transparent service for all customers.