Yemisi Izuora
The Eko Distribution Company (EKDC) has commended the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the new tariff regime.
It said it will now double efforts towards the customer metering project.
The Authority Monday outlined various rates of increase in energy charges for consumers across the country, announcing also the removal of fixed electricity charges for all classes of electricity consumers so that power users would only pay for what they consumed.
Fixed charge is that component of the tariff that commits electricity consumers to paying an approved amount of money not minding whether electricity is consumed during the billing period.
Under the new arrangement, residential customer classification (R2) in Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will no longer pay N702 fixed charge every month. Their energy charge will increase by N9.60.
Also, residential customers (R2 customers) in Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution areas will no longer pay N750 fixed charges. They will be getting N10 and N8 increase respectively in their energy charges.
Mr. Godwin Idemudia, manager corporate communications of EKDC said while reacting to the development,”Removal of the fixed charge by government is a welcome development which will benefit the customers of Eko a great deal.
Eko has the least tariff charge in the country taking into consideration what NERC has just released to the nation.
What it means now is that we are going to pursue vigorously our metering roll out plans to the satisfaction of our yearning customers.
But for those who cannot wait for the roll out plan to get to them, they can key into our CAPMI programme to avoid estimated bills which does not favour the company nor the customers”.
On the recent arrangement with Egbin for supply of 100 Mega Watts, Idemudia explained, “We have agreement for only 100MW from Egbin. Customers within Lekki, Ajah, Ibeju and environs will benefit greatly from this special plan.
This is energy that would come directly to us without passing through the national grid.
Though transmission is playing a vital role. In this special arrangement, the customers will slight pay more than regular customers. The good news is that it would be stable almost at all times”.
On plans for improved services for Christmas and New Year, he said, “For the yuletide, we have put in place special distribution fault clearing teams to respond to faults as they occur within a very short time of distress calls of any nature.
Our equipment have been serviced to take any amount of energy that may be wheeled to us by the generation companies via transmission.
While we wish our our customers the very best this season, we appeal to them to pay their bills regularly and also make use of our customer care helplines whenever they need our services”.