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Metering remains DisCos’ responsibility under MAP, NERC insists

By Kingsley Jeremiah, Abuja
26 March 2019   |   3:59 am
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday said metering of electricity consumers remains the responsibility of Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulations 2018.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday said metering of electricity consumers remains the responsibility of Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulations 2018.

While Executive Director, Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors (ANED), Sunday Oduntan, had said the utility providers would no longer shoulder the responsibility, NERC insisted that new MAP policy never took that responsibility from them.

NERC’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Dr. Usman Arabi, in a statement said the development tallies with DisCos’ respective Licensing Terms and Conditions and Section 4 (1) of the regulations, which provides that “Distribution licensee is responsible for metering targets, as specified by NERC from time to time.”

He added that section 4 Subsection 3 of the MAP Regulation requires all distribution licensees to engage the services of a Meter Asset Provider(s) towards meeting the metering targets, as specified by the commission and in accordance with provisions of the MAP Regulations 2018.

Arabi said the DisCos were expected to engage MAP(s) within 120 days of the regulations enforcement.“The deadline was fixed for July 31, 2018, but was extended to November 30, 2018 to stimulate more competition among potential MAPs, thus providing better value for consumers.

Some DisCos, however, defaulted in the timeline stipulated by NERC and the infraction is being handled in line with its enforcement of the regulations.“The commission is reviewing the MAP procurement reports and successful MAPs will be announced after a meeting with the DisCos and preferred bidders next week.

“NERC wishes to reaffirm its commitment to close the metering gap and eliminate estimated billing in line with provisions of the MAP regulations,” Arabi stated.

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