NERC Tasks DISCOs On CAPMI Implementation

Engr. Ishaaq Yahaya, (left) representing Engr. Emeka Eze, having a handshake with Chairman, Naro Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Rivers State Chapter, Mr Abayomi .I. Anifowose (middle). With them is vice chairman, NIQS Rivers State Chapter, Mr Edighoman Isaac Ewa (right) during the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors Rivers State Chapter 2014 Quantity Surveyors Week at Arena Event Centre recently. Photo: Egberi .A. Sampson

The Nigerian Electric
ity Regulating  Commission (NERC) has tasked electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) in the country on the effective Implementation of the credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, NERC’s Commissioner Dr Abba Ibrahim said that the implementation of  the scheme would ensure that customers are not cheated by the  electricity distribution companies.
Ibrahim said that the commitment of NERC is to ensure that  distribution companies employed best strategies for the CAPMI scheme to improve  connectivity by customers, stressing that the CAPMI scheme as adopted by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company has ensure effective  connection by over 16,000 customers,  while the Ikeja EDC connected about 4,000 because  it is yet to adopt CAPMI scheme.
The NERC Commissioner also said there  would be tariff hike in electricity from January, 2015 to cushion the effect of naira devaluation and the falling crude oil prices  in the  global market.
He said that the supplementary tariff is to reflect inflation caused by a major  change in foreign exchange  rate and major changes in oil and gas prices.
The Tide learnt that the new asset  owners  are  pushing for the supplementary electricity tariff hike approval  to reflect differentials  in the naira devaluation and that of the oil prices which  became frightening in November this year.
He said by January, 2015, the new tariff hike may reflect on bills to customer if approval is  made or better  still the multi-year Tarrif Order  (MYTO) may be fast tracked to accommodate  this new  approval.

Philip Okparaji