PHEDC, NDPHC set to distribute smart meters

The Minister of State for Power, Prince Goddy Agba, has said the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) and Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) in partnership with the Federal Government will commence the distribution of smart meters soon.

Agba stated this at the weekend when he visited the power plant at Ikot Nyong in Odukpani Local Council of Cross River State.

The minister said his office had been working with the NDPHC and PHEDC to ensure steady power supply.

He said: “Another good thing is that the Federal Government has approved that smart meters should be brought into the country free of any charge of tariff. For years, meters have been at the port because of tariffs.

“Now, the government has deregularise that and the meters are brought in for free. So, in a short while, people will have meters to know what they consume and pay for the same. In six months from now, there should be a noticeable improvement both in supply and in metering.

“The government is committed to its duty for the provision of social services and we want to see this go through.”

The Managing Director of PHEDC, Henry Ajagbawa, represented by his deputy, Kingsley Achife, said that arrangements had been finalised towards a 24-hour electricity supply to customers in Calabar and its environs by December.

Ajagbawa said the upgrade in supply from 45 megawatts presently serving the capital city and its environs would be achieved by taking an additional 100 megawatts of electricity from the 625 megawatts capacity power plant at Ikot Nyong to make it 145 megawatts.