The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is thinking about raising the price of prepaid meters once again. This idea is because it’s getting more expensive for companies to make the meters.
The costs for making the meters have gone up because of problems with foreign Exchange and inflation.
These sources, who requested anonymity, revealed that the companies making the meters have stopped asking for money from the electricity distribution companies (Discos) because they think the price is going to go up soon.
Last week, NERC said that 11 distribution companies were charging too much money to people who don’t have meters. They got fined 10.5 billion nairas for this.
Someone who works for a distribution company told Newsmen that they’re not accepting new applications for meters right now.
They’re waiting for NERC to say how much the meters should cost. Until then, they won’t process any new applications, so lots of people who want meters are stuck waiting.
One person from a distribution company said that people who already paid for their meters will still get them, even if the price goes up. But they didn’t say if those people would have to pay more or not.
NERC is the group that decides how much prepaid meters should cost. Most of the meters are made outside Nigeria and put together here.
Over time, the meters have gotten better, with more features to stop people from stealing electricity and to give more information about how much electricity is being used.
There aren’t enough meters in Nigeria. More than 7 million people don’t have meters and are charged based on guesses.
The group that represents manufacturers in Nigeria says that companies aren’t able to make as many things as they could because of problems with foreign money and inflation.
They anticipate some improvement by mid-year, but currently, they’re finding it challenging to get things done.
