KEY POINTS
- The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has begun the second phase of its free prepaid meter rollout under NERC’s Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), targeting 13,335 Band A customers across the South-East to eliminate estimated billing.
- The prepaid meters and their installation are completely free, with EEDC warning customers against paying installers and urging them to update their contact details for verification.
- The initiative is expected to bring financial relief to households and small businesses by ensuring fair billing, reducing energy theft, and allowing consumers to pay only for the electricity they use.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, has kicked off the second phase of its free prepaid meter rollout under the “Tranche B” of the Meter Acquisition Fund, MAF, a national initiative designed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to close the country’s metering gap and phase out estimated billing.
The exercise, which commenced on 2 November 2025, will see 13,335 customers across the South-East receive free prepaid meters.
The beneficiaries are mainly those on service Band A feeders, who typically enjoy the most reliable power supply.
EEDC: Boost for Transparency and Fair Billing
EEDC’s Group Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, explained in a statement on Tuesday that the prepaid meters and their installation are completely free of charge.
He warned customers against making any payments to installers or falling victim to extortion, stressing that the initiative is fully funded through the Meter Acquisition Fund, a pooled fund contributed by all electricity distribution companies and managed by NERC.
According to Ezeh, “These meters and their installation are free, and customers are cautioned against making any form of payment to installers or succumbing to any form of inducement. This aligns with our commitment to improving service transparency and customer satisfaction.”
The company has urged customers to verify and update their contact details at its service offices, as accurate information will be crucial in scheduling installations.
Ezeh assured customers who are not captured in this phase to remain patient, adding that another metering initiative, the Distribution Sector Recovery Project (DISREP), is in progress and will further extend access to free meters.
The broader goal, according to NERC, is to ensure that all electricity consumers across the country are metered over time, thereby eliminating estimated billing and improving revenue collection within the sector.
