In compliance with the  directive of the  Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Kaduna Electric  has started refunding customers who purchased meters under the Meter Assets Provider (MAP) scheme.

This was disclosed by the Head of Corporate Communication of the distribution company, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, in a statement.

Abdullahi informed that the refund is by instalment through token purchase by the affected customers  within three years.

“Management is delighted to inform its esteemed customers that it has since commenced the repayment of the cost of meters to customers who purchased their meters through the MAP Scheme.

“The repayment for the cost of the meters is in installments through energy tokens whenever a customer purchases in line with the directives of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

“The repayment would be completed in 36 months from the date of commencement of the first installment,” he said.

NERC recently ordered electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to reimburse customers who have paid for acquisition of meters under the MAP scheme.

The order was given by the commission in a document dated March 20, 2023, and signed by NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba, and Commissioner (Legal, Licensing & Compliance), Dafe Akpeneye.

According to the document, which was released on September 18, 2023, the order took effect April 1, 2023.

The electricity regulator noted that the directive was in compliance with the national mass metering regulations 2021.

It would be recalled that NERC recently  reviewed upward the prices of the single-phase and three-phase meters. A single-phase meter has risen from N58,661.6 to N81,975.16, while a three-phase meter rose N109,684.36 to  N143,836.10, respectively.

NERC stated: “The Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations, 2021 (the Regulations) Section 8(f) provides that Distribution Licensees are obligated to reimburse customers who pay for meters under the MAP framework through equal installments of energy credits, at the time of vending, with the cost of the meter amortised over a maximum period of 36 months.

“Section 24(1) (b) of the Regulations provides that where a Customer elects to make upfront payment for meters under these regulations, the cost of the meter shall be refunded through energy credits by the distribution licensee.

“The reimbursement schedules shall be as approved by the commission, having regard to an evaluation of the financial standing of the distribution licensee. This provision also applies to upfront payment made by customers upon commencement of the MAP framework in 2018.

“The Commission conducted an evaluation of the financial standing of the DISCOs which resulted in a review of the hitherto 36-months reimbursement period.”