EiE Nigeria, Nepawahala Nigeria, Powerup Nigeria Joint Press Release On The Status Of The Meter Assets Providers (Map) Regulation

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info@powerupng.com

July 30, 2020

Lagos, Nigeria

For Immediate Release

Whereas the Meter Assets Providers (MAP) Regulation was published in March 2018 and intended to go into effect within 90 days. Unfortunately, the MAP Regulation did not go into effect until May 2019.

Whereas the advocacy for independent metering services providers stemmed from the failure and continued inability of the electricity distribution companies to provide meters to their customers.

Whereas the number of challenges in the distribution subsector of the electric power sector has been and continues to be epileptic power supply. estimated billing and high density of unmetered customers.

Whereas PowerUp Nigeria led the call for the introduction of an independent metering service provider scheme, which eventually morphed into the MAP Regulation and EiE Nigeria consistently used its platforms to support this call that promised to bring succour to electricity consumers.

Whereas, upon the introduction of the MAP Regulation, acquisition of meters was supposed to be eased. Unfortunately, this has not been the case as customers are frustrated with lack of access and being extorted through the inadequate checks and balances in the system.

Whereas recent reports from the electricity distribution companies in the media implied that customers are no longer interested in being metered.

Whereas, we, a coalition of civil society organizations championing the rights of electricity consumers; effective power sector policies, and good governance do not think the statement by the electricity distribution companies is a true reflection of the current reality.

Whereas the coalition has therefore decided to carry out a series of engagements to ascertain the true pulse of electricity customers. We are starting with a survey that will be amplified across social media and radio for two weeks. This will then be followed by a town hall meeting on live television with relevant stakeholders – customers, meter manufacturers, DISCOs, Ministry of Power and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The engagements will do the following:

Determine the level of awareness of electricity customers with MAP Regulation;
Determine the level of compliance of the DISCOs;
Identify major challenges, if there are any, to the implementation of the MAP Regulation;
Determine what policy amendments, if any, to be recommended to NERC and the Ministry of Power.

The survey is live on eie.ng/mapsurvey.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

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Enough is Enough Nigeria (www.eie.ng) is a network of individuals and organizations committed to instituting a culture of good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through active citizenship. EiE’s #RSVP –Register/Select/Vote/Protect is a key voter education campaign. EiE was an integral part of the #OccupyNigeria movement in 2012 and is very active in the #OpenNASS and #OfficeOftheCitizen campaigns.

NepaWahala (nepwahala.ng) is a free service offered to all Nigerians in order to provide better service in the power sector. Services include but are not limited to answering questions on electricity issues, giving you access to regulatory documents which outline the consumer’s rights to safe, efficient and regular power supply, and rendering assistance to resolve diverse service failure issues, including metering, connection, disconnection, billing, etc.

PowerUp Nigeria (news.powerupng.com) is the pioneer and leading electricity consumer Rights and Power Sector Policy Advocacy Organization. PowerUpNG has successfully led the call for removal of Fixed Charges of the Electricity Billing Methodology, and the introduction of an Independent Metering Service Provider, which the Regulators, NERC, eventually introduced as the MAP Regulation.