IBEDC Resumes Free Prepaid Meter Installation, Warns Against Extortion

Following months of customer agitation over estimated billing and faulty meters, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has announced the resumption of its free prepaid meter rollout.

The exercise, which begins in the coming days, covers Tranche B of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) and Phase 1 of the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), both aimed at closing Nigeria’s long-standing metering deficit.

IBEDC, in a statement signed by its Coordinating Head of Corporate Services, Angela Olanrewaju, disclosed that a total of 33,450 smart meters would be deployed under the MAF Tranche B, while the DISREP Phase 1 will deliver another 22,104 units.

She noted that “the meter rollout under MAF prioritises unmetered customers on Band A feeders, while DISREP will prioritise both Bands A and B.”

‘Meters Are Completely Free’ – IBEDC

The company reassured customers that both the meters and the installation are at no cost, insisting that no customer should pay any staff or contractor.

Olanrewaju stressed: “The meters are completely free, and installation is also free. Customers must not make any form of payment to anyone. Anyone requesting money should be reported via maf_disrep@ibedc.com or ethicscompliance@ibedc.com.”

According to IBEDC, the MAF initiative is funded through a market-supported mechanism created by NERC to help distribution companies close the metering gap across the country.

“The scheme complements the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) and will run concurrently with the MAP scheme, but unlike MAP, MAF meters come at no cost to customers,” the statement added.

IBEDC urged customers to grant installers access to their premises, adding that only officials with valid identification should be allowed in. It warned that denying access may lead to disconnection.

The firm also cautioned against bypassing or tampering with the new meters. Olanrewaju noted that such actions amount to energy theft and attract serious penalties.

The company encouraged customers with outstanding bills to visit their nearest IBEDC office for resolution, stating that doing so would aid a seamless transition to the prepayment system.

However, it clarified that indebtedness will not disqualify anyone from receiving a free meter.

“No customer will be denied a meter on account of outstanding bills. Arrears will be managed in line with the Company’s debt settlement policy and established procedures,” the statement concluded.