Aba Power: Free Mass Meter Rollout, Win-Win for Customers, Company
APL Logo
The ongoing free mass meter rollout is a blessing for both Aba Power and its customers, according to the utility’s Managing Director, Ugo Opiegbe.
Opiegbe told the staff of Aba Power, Nigeria’s 12th electricity distribution company (DisCo), on Tuesday that the rollout “is a win-win for both the company and customers, considering all critical business metrics.”
“More and more customers are coming daily to all our physical offices and online platforms from morning till night to express their satisfaction and to pay their bills with greater enthusiasm.”hr said.
Although the MD did not disclose in the email the revenue generated since the resumption of the smart meter rollout launched last month, sources within the firm say it has improved considerably.
The increase may be as much as 15%, even though the meters are free, revealed a manager who requested anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media on the issue.
“What is most important,is not so much the increase in revenue but the satisfaction on the faces of customers despite the general economic and social difficulties in the country.
“People come voluntarily to pay their monthly bills and commend us for the speed at which the meters are distributed free of charge and installed daily. Plans to install 20,000 smart meters every month and provide new smart meters to at least 100,000 customers in nine of the 17 local government areas in Abia State that it serves. This initiative targets the Aba Ring-fence Area and is expected to be completed before the year ends.
The meters are being installed feeder by feeder, with eight of the 30 feeders in the Aba Ring-fenced Area already fully equipped with meters, noted Engr. Alfred Ategie, the manager in charge of the metering team.
Currently, meters are being distributed to individuals and organizations on the Barracks Feeder and the Abayi Feeder, which cover major areas such as the famous Azikiwe Road and Milverton Road.
“Even the total cost of metering all customers by our partners, which will exceed N33 billion, is being provided free of charge,” explained Engr. Ategie.
The meter rollout is implemented by the Kayz Consortium of Nigeria, led by Prince Kalu; Eve Metering Company of China, operated by a Nigerian, Soji Olagunji; and Chinese firms DESN and CHINT.
“What the Aba Power Free Smart Meter Rollout has demonstrated,” stated Opiegbe, “is the immense value of transparency and integrity in business operations.
“Customers always pay when it is evident that what they are billed matches their actual consumption.
“In contrast, customers are reluctant to pay estimated bills, even when those bills are less than their actual consumption.
“Transparency and integrity have no substitutes, either in personal or business relationships.”Aba the manager stated.
