NERC Makes Case For Electricity Metering Code

The major aim of introducing the electricity metering code in the country is to ensure high standard, accountability and efficiency in the nation’s energy sector, especially in the electricity supply   industry, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has explained.

    According to the commission,  the idea is also aimed at ensuring that both the operator and consumer are not cheated in any way, adding that the initiative would equally bring about transparency  in the energy and power supply  business in the country.

Speaking to newsmen in Enugu recently during the   formal  presentation of the code to stakeholders, the  NERC Administrator, Mallam Imamuddeen Talba, explained that the metering   code,  first lunched on  June 21, 2007 was in fulfillment of one of the commission’s mandate,  which is to regulate the electricity  billing system in the country.

  “The motive behind the code is also to ensure a high level of efficiency in the entire energy chain as well as ensure that every unit of electricity produced in the country is properly accounted for,” he said.

Represented on the occasion by Mrs. Olufunke Dinneh, the Deputy General Manager (DGM), Legal, Licensing, and Enforcement in the organisation, the NERC boss,  disclosed that the metering body “is to change the  course of delivering electricity services to consumers and ensure accountability of energy  flow through appropriate and accurate metering.”

“The principal objectives of the   metering code, are to ensure accurate measurement, recording, and data management of electric energy utilisation”, he said,  adding that “it would also make adequate provisions for communication infrastructure for the metering system” .

     Other objectives of the code,  Mallam Talba  hinted, include to specify technical standards for compliance by licenses and accredited meter test laboratories as well as establish regulatory definitions, processes and procedures for electricity metering in the country.

The code he continued,  would interrelate with other rules/ regulations  and codes already in use for efficient electricity industry operation.

    He stated further that  the metering committee, as the hub in operating the code, is to monitor the effective implementation of the code in order to achieve its objectives.

According to him,  the committee, is aware that a  major task in the electricity industry in Nigeria is market development, hence  it has resolved that its activities should result in encouraging private sector investment and participation in the sector.

     Chairman of the committee, Emmanuel Ezekwere, in a brief chat with newsmen,  corroborated  the Administrator’s views that the newly introduced metering   code  would be of immense  benefit  to both consumers and operators.

  He, therefore,  advised  Nigerians  to embrace the newly introduced pre – paid meter, explaining that  it has a lot of advantages over the old meter.