Investigating the Problems of Prepaid Metering Systems in Nigeria.
N.T. Makanjuola1; O. Shoewu1*; L.A. Akinyemi1,2; and Y. Ajose1
1
Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Lagos State University, Epe-Lagos, Nigeria.
1,2
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment,
University of Cape Town, South Africa.
E-mail: engrshoewu@yahoo.com
tunjimakanjuola@yahoo.com
LTFAKI001@myuct.ac.za
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to investigate the
problems and challenges faced by the prepaid
metering system and efforts geared towards in
resolving the identified issues using a humansurvey approach termed questionnaires to the
EKEDC (Eko Electricity Distribution Company)
officials and customers. Some of the identified
challenges
are absence
of
vending
infrastructure, non-tripping of the contractor, the
cost of acquiring the meter, and delays in
receiving and installation of prepaid meters.
The analysis of this study was based on the
feedback mechanism and results received from
the members of the public via questionnaire. The
obtained results enabled this study to get to the
far-reaching
recommendations
which
are
considered to be ideal for the successful
implementation of the Prepaid Metering System.
These include high quality meters, provision of
electricity at all times, computerization of the
Prepaid Metering System, introduction of
prepayment metering country-wide and periodic
training of electricity staff members and officials.
(Keywords: EKEDC, electricity metering, kWh,
distribution, IPP, electricity generation)
INTRODUCTION
Metering was introduced in Nigeria in 2005, so as
to reduce and eradicate the issue of customers
complaining of over-billing, and other related
issues. Customers have by-in-large been happy
since the introduction of the prepayment metering
system; however, there have been problems that
have arisen from this innovation.
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*
This study was conducted in the Badagry area of
Lagos State. In order to achieve the objectives of
the study, both structured and open-ended
questionnaires were administered to various
staffs in EKEDC and to 200 customers in the
Badagry area. Interviews with key personnel
such as the Customer Services Manager,
Metering Engineer, two (2) Customer Services
Officers, and 180 simple randomly selected
customers were conducted. Secondary data was
collected through desk research.
The electricity meter or energy meter is described
as a device that is designed to quantify or
measure the volume of electricity consumed at a
given point in time by an electrically powered
device, residence, commercial premises or an
industrial complex. Typically, electricity meters
are calibrated in billing units of kilowatt hour
[kWh]. The electricity meters are read periodically
to establish billing cycles and energy used during
the cycle.
The procurement of meters for all the aspects of
the electricity business in Nigeria was centrally
coordinated at the Head Office of EKEDC where
requests were received and treated from a
central pool. Metering instruments including Grid
Meters
for
Generation/Transmission,
Transmission/Distribution,
and
Distribution
interconnecting points were procured and
deployed to all the stations centrally. The
distribution companies were saddled with the
responsibility of allocating and installing the
meters at the premises of customers. A Grid
Metering group was responsible for installation
and maintenance of Grid meters.
There are three Meter Test Stations located in
Lagos, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt. These
stations are primarily responsible for calibration
–22–
Volume 16. Number 2. November 2015 (Fall)
and repair of all the types of meters in the
network. They also certify the integrity of the
meters before deployment and installation. It
should however be noted that with the
implementation of Power Sector Reform Act 2005
and the unbundling of PHCN, the processes
involved in procurement and deployment of
metering systems are also being restructured.
Some form of autonomy has been achieved as
the Distribution Companies can now procure and
install meters independently.
The common types of meters in operation in most
jurisdictions include but are not limited to the
following:
Electromechanical Watt-Hour Meters
Electronic meters
Electronic meters
Prepayment Meters
The process of prepayment metering involves
the following activities:
The customer buys electricity energy from a
vending station.
A voucher with twenty (20) digit codes to be
keyed into the meter is given to the customer
upon payment.
The customer keys in this code into the meter.
After keying in the 20-digits code, the meter
updates the credit in the meter and becomes
ready for use.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Metering is the process and method of utilizing
devices to measure the amount and direction of
electrical energy flow; particularly for end-use. It
can also be defined as the installation of
equipment that makes it possible for a utility to
determine the amount of electric power a
particular customer has consumed. Electricity is
provided to customers by wires, often called
service drops, emerging from distribution
transformers. These wires go into electric meters
that measure the quantity of electricity used
(measured in kilowatt-hours).
Brief Background of Metering of Electricity in
Nigeria
The history of electricity metering in Nigeria is
directly linked with the history of electricity
The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology
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development in Nigeria. The production and
delivery of electricity to consumers on a
commercial basis began in the country in 1896.
Electricity generation and distribution were
largely decentralized until 1951 when the
Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) was
established as a central body responsible for
electricity supply. The first 132KV line linking
Lagos to Ibadan Power station was constructed
in 1962.
In 1962, the Niger Dams Authority (NDA) was
established with a mandate to develop hydro
power stations. The ECN and NDA were later
merged in 1972 to form the National Electric
Power Authority (NEPA) by virtue of the NEPA
Act1. The National Electric Power Authority
operated a vertical integrated structure in
carrying out its primary functions of generation,
transmission, distribution and marketing of
electricity in Nigeria. This state of affairs
persisted until 2006 when NEPA was unbundled
into 18 successor companies in line with the
power sector reform program of the Federal
Government of Nigeria.
An Overview of Electricity Production and
Distribution in Nigeria
The Nigerian economy is an energy-driven one
since the pre-colonial era unlike many other
developing economies along the West African
Coast. This is because electricity has remained
the driving force behind all the developmental
activities which revolves around industrial,
commercial and household purposes. Electricity
generation in Nigeria began in 1896, fifteen years
after its introduction in England.
The Nigeria Electricity Supply Company
(NESCO) commenced operations as an electric
utility company in Nigeria in 1929 with the
construction of hydroelectric power station at
Kura near Jos. The Electricity Corporation of
Nigeria (ECN) was established in 1951, while the
first 132KV line was constructed in 1962, linking
Ijora Power Station to Ibadan Power Station. But
shortly after independent, in 1962 the scope of
electricity production had expanded to include
Kanji electricity dam. By 1988, the National
Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was partially
commercialized, supported by an upward review
in tariffs. As part of the restructuring effort of the
power sector, the Electric Power Sector Reform
Act 2005 was enacted. Consequently, the
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Volume 16. Number 2. November 2015 (Fall)
defunct NEPA was renamed as the Power
Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The law
paved the way for the unbundling of NEPA into
the 18 companies – six power generation
companies, one transmission company, and
eleven distribution companies.
Table 1: Independent Power Productions,
Location and Installed Capacity.
Name
Aba Power Ltd
AES Nigeria Barge
Ltd
AgbaraShoreline
Power Ltd
AkutePower Ltd
AlaojiGeneration
Co. Ltd (NIPP)
Anita Energy
Limited
AzuraEnergy
Limited
Bresson Nigeria
Ltd
CETPower
Projects Ltd
CETPower
Projects Ltd
CETPower
Projects Ltd
CET Power
Projects(Sagamu)
Contour Global
Solutions (Nig) Ltd
Contour Global
Solutions (Nig) Ltd
Coronation Power
And Gas Limited
Delta Electric
Power Limited
DILPower Limited
License
type
Distribution
Generation
on-grid
Generation
on-grid
Generation
off-grid
Generation
on-grid
Generation
on-grid
Generation
on-grid
Generation
on-grid
Generation
off-grid
Generation
off-grid
Generation
off-grid
Generation
off-grid
Generation
off-grid
Generation
off-grid
Generation
off-grid
Generation
on-grid
Generation
on-grid
Generation
on-grid
Eleme
Petrochemical
Company Limited
Energy Company
Generation
Of Nigeria
on-grid
(NEGRIS)
Source: www.nercng.org
Site location
Capacity
Aba, Abia State
Apapa,Lagos
270MW
Agbara, Ogun
100MW
Lagos Water
Corporation
Alaoji, Abia State
13MW
Agbara, Lagos
State
Ihovbor Benin,
Edo State
Magboro, Ogun
State
WAPCOEwekoro,
Ogun State
Tinapa, Cross
River State
Nigerian
Breweries Ltd.,
Iganmu, Lagos
WAPCOSagamu,
Ogun State
NBCBottling
Plant, Ikeja
NBCBottling
Plant, Apapa
Sango Otta
90MW
Oghareki, Etiope
West LGA
Obajana, Kogi
State
Eleme Complex,
P.H Rivers
116MW
Ikorodu, Lagos
State
140MW
1074MW
http://www.akamaiuniversity.us/PJST.htm
From Table 1, the IPPs can be classified into two,
the on-grid and the off-grid generation. In all
there are ten (10) on-grid generations,
contributing 2,570 MW and there are seven offgrids generation contributing 85 MW, making a
total of 2,655 MW. The involvement of the IPP
will not only increase the availability of electricity,
it still stimulates efficiency in the electricity
industry. However, the existing evidence does
not support this expectation and this is because
as at January 2013 the industry has just realized
only about 4, 500mw of the target date.
450MW
60MW
6MW
20MW
5MW
7MW
10MW
4MW
The Concept of Metering: Metering according to
Simpson (1996:14) is ‘’the process and methods
of utilizing devices to measure the amount and
direction of electrical energy flow; particularly for
end-use’’. He also defined metering as
‘’installation of equipment that makes it possible
for an utility to determine the amount of electric
power a particular customer has consumed’’.
Electricity is provided to customers by wires,
often called service drops, emerging from
distribution transformers. These wires go into
electric meters that measure the quantity of
electricity used (measured in kilowatt-hours).
20MW
135MW
135MW
Nigeria has approximately 6,861 megawatts (MW)
of installed electric generating capacity but at
present electricity generation ranges from
between 2,500 megawatts to about 3,000 even
with the inclusion of three gas-powered
The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology
independent power projects in the Niger Delta
region. Thus, making power outages to be
frequent as the power sector operates well below
its estimated capacity. At policy making level,
successive governments in Nigerian have made
tireless effort to encourage foreign private
investment in the power sector by commissioning
Independent Power Production (IPP) to generate
electricity and sell it to PHCN. Table 1 is a mirror
of the dividends of such efforts.
Prepayment Metering System: Prepayment
metering is a well established technology being
introduced by more and more utility companies.
According to kettless (2004), ‘’A Prepaymet
Metering System is a system where a customer
pays for energy before using it’’. A prepayment
metering
system
according
to
kettless
(2004:105), basically comprises a system master
station (which is a computer that administers the
whole system), a vending machine (where
customers buy their electricity) and prepayment
energy meters (or dispensers, which dispenses
the electricity to the customer). This meter has an
interface to the customer for managing the
transfer of credit and to display the meter and
credit status.
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Volume 16. Number 2. November 2015 (Fall)
Disadvantages of the Prepayment Metering
System
Absence of Vending Infrastructure: The
Distribution Utilities cited an absence or
inadequate vending infrastructure as one of the
major obstacles militating against the deployment
of prepaid meters in their distribution companies.
According to them, their metering plan was in
stages and since some areas lacked the vending
infrastructure, meters could not be deployed.
Vending infrastructure, it was observed, simply
comprises software built into a PPM Master
Station which automatically allows for vending
often on vouchers or on electronic media. Vending
in itself was the capability of a point of sale device
to generate the prepaid token and conclude the
associated prepayment transaction. It is therefore
strange to procure prepaid meters independent of
a vending infrastructure.
Lack of Presence of Local Manufacturers: The
absence of competent local meter manufacturers
was considered a critical element that accounted
for the delay in meter procurement. As of 2010,
Unistar was the only company assembling PPMs
in Nigeria. However, the Company enjoys limited
patronage from the DISCOs for the singular
reason given by the DISCOs that Unistar meters
are not Standard Transfer Specification (STS)
compliant.
Corruption: Typical of the entire geo-political
zone, the allegations of corruption and extortion
were raised against some unscrupulous DISCO
staff. A unique example was the case of TudunWada community in Lugbe, Abuja, [5] where
customers complained of being extorted by a
certain contractor (Adume Nig. Ltd) who was
neither a licensee of NERC nor a contractor to
DISCO. All the consumers feeding from Adume
Nig. Ltd. point load 300KVA 33/0.415 transformer
pay their bills to the contractor and the consumers
are happy with the service. It is unknown how
many Adume Nig. Ltd. Type situations we have
nationwide and the number of customers under
them. Chairman of the Tudun-Wada Residents
Welfare Association, Mr. Clement Oba Ehigiator,
alleged that the community had been in darkness
for the past four years without power, but when
the residents, through self-help, bought two
transformers, officials of the PHCN refused to
have them installed. Instead, the staff connived
with the contractor to install another transformer
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and then compelled residents to pay N5, 000
each to be connected.
The Cost of Acquiring the Meter:
A
prepayment meter costs as much as three times
the cost of a conventional credit (post-paid)
meter. When the prepaid metering system was
introduced, the price of a single-phase prepaid
meter was about N25,000 also a three-phase
prepaid meter was about N50,000. During the
course of my research visitation to EKEDC
Agbara Business Unit, it was revealed by the
EKEDC staff that the prices of the prepaid meters
have now increased to N39,375 for the singlephase prepaid meter and N68,901 for the threephase prepaid meter.
Non-Tripping of the Contractor: Tripping is an
important aspect of a prepayment meter. The
quality of the meter affects both EKEDC and the
customer. Thus, if the basic aspects like tripping
are lacking, the collections may suffer and lead to
poor customer service.
Lack of Expertise: The major problems arising
from the introduction of the system includes nonavailability of the expertise to repair the faulty
meters.
Buying of units on Sundays and Holidays:
Most respondents complained that they have no
access to electricity if their units finish on
Sundays or on a Holiday and EKEDC
management dos not seems to be concerned
with the problem. Most respondents also
indicated that they are forced to find alternative
sources of power despite the introduction of the
system being meant to improve customer service
and ensure customer satisfaction at all times.
Some other disadvantages of the Prepayment
Metering System are listed below:
Bypass frequently by consumers.
Delay in receiving and installation of
prepaid meters.
Single-phase overloading.
Experiencing difficulty while trying to
change tariff.
Network to recharge is sometimes difficult.
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Volume 16. Number 2. November 2015 (Fall)
METHODOLOGY
The study was conducted in the Badagry area of
Lagos State. Out of a total of 900 residential
customers already on the prepayment metering
system, 200 customers were simple-randomly
selected and administered with a questionnaire.
Only 180 customers responded, giving us a
working sample from a cross section of the
Badagry area.
Because of the nature of the study, a survey of
the various EKEDC staffs and the 180 simple
randomly selected residential customers was
conducted. In this case semi-structured and
unstructured interviews were conducted in
addition to the questionnaires that were
administered to both EKEDC Staffs and the
customers.
In order to achieve the objectives of the study,
both structured and open-ended questionnaires
were administered to various staffs in EKEDC and
the 200 customers in the Badagry area. Interviews
with key personnel such as the Customer
Services Manager, Metering Engineer, two
Customer Services Officers and 180 simple
randomly selected customers were conducted.
Secondary data was collected through desk
research. This data was obtained from both
unpublished and published data sources. The
data was obtained from the company’s financial
reports, budgets, magazines, journals, websites
and other published and unpublished documents.
Other secondary data was obtained from
newspapers, magazines, journals, pamphlets,
books and the internet.
Both statistical and non-statistical methods were
used to analyze the obtained data. Statistical and
non-statistical methods such as graphs, tables,
pie charts and responses obtained from interviews
from EKEDC officials and the customers.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Our findings reveal the benefits and problems that
come with the introduction of the Prepayment
Metering System. A total of 200 respondents were
administered with a questionnaire, and 180
responded. This gives us a working sample of 180
respondents from a cross section of the Ojo,
Badagry area. The data collected was looked at
as a series of observations denoting the
characteristics of that particular respondent:
whether or not he responded yes to the question
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concerning the easy paying of electricity bills,
easy budgeting, monitoring of consumptions and
so on. A graph was also constructed to show the
decrease in debt. The results from the survey
were then analyzed to fulfill the objectives set out
in the paper.
Benefits of the Prepayment Metering System
Research has shown that the Prepayment
Metering System has many benefits for the
customer. This can be seen in the tables below
showing the response, number of customers and
the percentage for various questions.
Paying Electricity Bills has been Made Easier:
Prepayment Metering System has made it easier
to pay electricity bills. Below is a table showing
response in the first column, number of
customers in the second column and the
percentage in the third column on whether the
Prepayment Metering has made it easier to pay
electricity bills.
Table 2: Paying Electricity Bills has been Made
Easier.
Response
Yes
No
Total
No. of
Customers
175
5
180
Percentage
97
3
100
A total of 175 customers out of 180 or 97%
agreed that paying their electricity bills has been
made easier as shown in Table 2. This clearly
shows that Prepayment Metering has made it
easier for customers to pay their bills. Below is a
graph showing the response in percentage on
whether the Prepayment Metering System has
made it easier to pay electricity bills.
Budgeting for Electricity has been Made
Easier: Prepayment Metering System has made
it easier to budget on how much to spend on
electricity. Below is a table showing responses
and the number of customers. Table 3 and Figure
2 show that 80% of the customers surveyed
agreed that Prepayment Metering System has
made it easier for them to budget on how much
to spend on electricity as they are able to
determine their average monthly consumption
and the equivalent bill.
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Volume 16. Number 2. November 2015 (Fall)
Table 4: Monitoring Consumption.
120
Response
100
80
No. of
customer
170
10
180
Yes
No
Total
60
Percentage
95
5
100
40
20
100
0
Yes
No
80
Figure 1: Ease of Paying Electricity Bills.
60
40
Table 3: Budgeting has been Made Easier.
Response
Yes
No
Total
No. of
customers
144
36
180
20
Percentage
0
Yes
80
20
100
No
Figure 3: Easy of Monitoring of Consumption.
Benefits Acquired: The benefits acquired from
the deployment of prepaid meters are shown in
Table 5 and Figure 4. The blue section of the
graph is the number of Yes responses that were
obtained from the EKEDC customers while the
brown section of the graph is the number of No
responses that were obtained from the
customers.
Table 5: Benefits Acquired.
Response
Figure 2: Ease of Budgeting for Electricity Bills.
Easy Monitoring of Consumption: Prepayment
Metering System has made easier to monitor
consumption of customers. Table 4 and Figure 3
show the responses on monitoring consumption in
percentage. Asked whether or not, they are able
to monitor their consumption, a total of 170
respondents out of 180 said that they are able to
monitor their consumption as they only consume
power when they have switched on the geyser
(hot water heater) when warming water and when
cooking. In other words power is only consumed
whenever it is necessary.
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Yes
Paying
made easier
175
Budgeting
made easier
144
Monitoring of
consumption
170
No
5
36
10
Problems of the Prepayment Metering System
The Prepayment Metering System also has come
with its own problem as described below.
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Volume 16. Number 2. November 2015 (Fall)
Figure 4: Benefits Acquired.
Non-Tripping of the Contactor: As observed
earlier, tripping is an important aspect of a
prepayment meter. The quality of the meter
affects both EKEDC and the customer. Thus, if
the basic aspects like tripping are lacking, the
collections may suffer and lead to poor customer
service. The study revealed that the quality of
meters installed is poor. This is indicated by the
fact that a total of 10 meters or 6% of the
surveyed meters were found not to be tripping due
to contactor, display fault or general meter fault.
For instance, if the units are exhausted, the
contactor would not trip and then a negative figure
would appear on the display. When a customer’s
account is in negative due to a contactor not
tripping, a negative number appears on the
display (e.g. -1999). Below is a table showing the
number of tripping and non-tripping meters in the
survey.
Table 6: Meter Status Survey.
No. of meters
Percentage
(-1999)
Positive number
Meter reading
10
170
6
94
Total
180
100
Buying of Units on Sundays and Holidays:
This study has shown that even though
customers have benefited in many ways, the
Prepayment Metering System
has also
disadvantaged them in some ways. The study
revealed that 93% of the total number of
respondents was not satisfied with the way the
system is being managed with respect to selling
of units on Sundays and holidays. Most
respondents complained that they have no
access to electricity if their units finish on
Sundays and holidays. Most respondents also
indicated that they are forced to find alternative
sources of power despite the introduction of the
system being meant to improve customer service
and ensure customer satisfaction at all times.
Table 7: Units Bought on Sundays and Holidays.
Response
Yes
No
Total
No. of
customers
12
168
180
Percentage
7
93
100
The table above shows that a total of 168
customers out of 180 or 93% of the customers
are unable to buy units when they run out on
Sundays and holidays.
The graph below shows the response in
percentage on whether the customers can buy
units on Sundays and holidays. 93% of the
customers are unable to buy units when they run
out of electricity on Sundays and holidays while
the other 7% of the customers think that they can
buy units.
100
80
100
60
80
40
60
20
40
0
20
Yes
0
Tripping
Non-tripping
Figure 5: Meter Status Survey.
The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology
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No
Figure 6: Buying of Units on Sundays and
Holidays/
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Volume 16. Number 2. November 2015 (Fall)
Using Electricity without Paying: When
respondents were asked on whether they are able
to use electricity before paying for it, the majority
indicated that they are not able to do so. The table
below shows that 174 of 180 customers or 96% of
the customers cannot use electricity without first
paying. The other 6 out of 180 customers or 4%
are able to use electricity without paying because
their meters do not trip when units run out. The
system was introduced to ensure customers have
electricity at all times, both day and night. But
research has shown that customers whose units
run out on Sundays and Holidays cannot use
electricity during these days because EKEDC
offices are closed during these days and there are
no vending machines.
obtained from the customers and is shown in
Table 9 and Figure 8.
Table 9: Problems Acquired
Response
Yes
No
Non-trigging
of the
contactor
10
170
Buying of
units on
Sundays &
Holidays
12
168
No
electricity
before
paying
6
174
Table 8: No Electricity before Paying.
Response
Yes
No
Total
No of
customers
6
174
180
Percentage
4
96
100
The graph below shows the response in
percentage on whether the customers can use
electricity before paying. 96% of the customers
are unable to use electricity without first paying
while the other 4% are able to use electricity
without paying because their meters do not trip
when units run out.
Figure 8: Problems Acquired.
Information on further problems of Prepayment
Metering System obtained through primary data
(one-on-one interviews with the EKEDC staffs
and customers).
Lack of Expertise
Figure 7: No Electricity before Paying.
Problems Acquired: In the graph below, the blue
section of the graph is the number of Yes
response that was
obtained from the EKEDC
customers while the brown section of the graph is
the number
of No responses that was
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The introduction of the Prepayment Metering
System has not only deprived EKEDC of the
necessary financial resources but also brought
more problems to the corporation. The major
problems arising from the introduction of the
system includes non-availability of the expertise
to repair the faulty meters. The study has
revealed that EKEDC lacks the expertise or
qualified personnel necessary in the maintenance
and repair of the prepayment meters. The study
also revealed that faulty meters when removed
are not repaired and customers have no
replacement because there are no new meters
while customers continued in certain situations to
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Volume 16. Number 2. November 2015 (Fall)
enjoy electricity despite their meters being
identified as non-tripping. Out of the total of 180
meters surveyed, 10 meters were found not to be
tripping when units finished and customers
continued enjoying electricity.
Additional cost of Acquiring Prepayment
Meters
Table 10 gives a comparison of the costs which
have been incurred on the installation of the
Prepayment Metering System as opposed to the
Conventional Credit Metering. Based on 100
single-phase meters, and 100 three-phase
meters, Prepayment Meters cost more than
Conventional Credit Meters by N1,437,500 for
single-phase meters and N2, 390,100 for threephase meters as shown in the tables below.
Table 10: Cost Comparison of the Two Types of
Meters (single-phase)
Meter type
Quantity
Total (N)
Prepayment
100
3,937,500
Credit
100
2,500,000
Difference
Figure 10: Price of Three-Phase Meter.
CONCLUSIONS
Our conclusions are that the state of metering in
the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry is in dire
need of emergency response to correct the wide
gap in satisfaction. The situation is so alarming
that if urgent remedial measures are not
implemented, it may threaten the reform of the
power sector by the Federal Government of
Nigeria.
1,437,500
Below is a representation of the table in a barchart.
The introduction of the prepayment metering
system is a good way of ensuring customer
satisfaction and also ensuring the corporation
collects revenue promptly. However, the failure
rate on the type of meters installed is high. This is
mainly due to the fact that the quality of the
Prepayment Meters that were installed does not
suit our environment leading to dissatisfaction on
the part of some customers and loss in terms
ofmoney to replace them on the part of EKEDC.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Figure 9: Price of Single-Phase Meter.
Table 11: Cost Comparison of the Two Types of
Meters (three-phase)
Meter type
Prepayment
Credit
Quantity
100
Total (N)
6,890,100
100
4,500,000
2,390,100
Difference
The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology
http://www.akamaiuniversity.us/PJST.htm
One of the objectives of the study was to make
appropriate recommendations for the successful
implementation of the Prepayment Metering
System.
Thus,
the
following
listed
recommendations are considered to be ideal for
successful
implementing
the
Prepayment
Metering System.
o
o
o
o
High Quality Meter
Provision of Electricity at all Time
Averting Future Problems
Computerization of the Prepayment Metering
System
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Volume 16. Number 2. November 2015 (Fall)
o
o
Introduction of Prepayment Metering Countrywide
Training of staff and introduction of customer
service center nationwide.
SUGGESTED CITATION
Makanjuola, N.T., O. Shoewu, L.A. Akinyemi, and
Y. Ajose. 2015. “Investigating the Problems of
Prepaid Metering Systems in Nigeria”. Pacific
Journal of Science and Technology. 16(2):22-31.
REFERENCES
1.
Oseni, T. 2002. “Obasanjo Laments NEPA’s
Inefficiency”. Nigerian Tribune. 16 July 2002.
2.987:3.
2.
Ogujor, E.A. 2007. “Reliability Assessment of
Electric Power Distribution: A Case Study of 2
x15MVA, 33/11kv Ugbowo Injection Substation”.
Ph.D. Thesis. University of Benin: Benin City,
Nigeria.
3.
Annon, O. 2001. “Management Introduces RCM
Project”. NEPA Review. (July-Sept 2001):6.
4.
NERC. 2008. “Power Mandate”. International
Journal produced by Headwoods Ltd. for the
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. 1(1):2.
5.
Sambo, A.S., B. Garba, I.H. Zarma, and M.M. Gaji.
2003. “Electricity Generation and the Present
Challenges in the Nigerian Power Sector”. Energy
Resources Review. 4:391.
6.
Koledoye, T.O., J.A. Abdul-Ganiyu, and D.A.
Phillips. 2013. “The Current and Future Challenges
of Electricity Market in Nigeria in the Face of
Deregulation Process”. African Journal of
Engineering Research. 1:33-39.
7.
KPMG Nigeria. 2013. A Guide to the Nigerian
Power Sector. December 2013.
8.
Nigerian Government. 2006. National Energy
Policy (NEP). www.energy.gov.ng
9.
Austin, B.J. 2002. “Metering for Utilities”. American
Lewa Inc.: New York, NY.
Pacific Journal of Science and Technology
10. Lamphier, R.C. 1925. Electric Meter: History and
Progress. McGraw – Hill, Inc.: London, UK.
11. Maistry, J. 2004. “Prepayment Electricity Meter”.
CONLOG Solutions for Utilities Conference.
12. CRM. 2005. “Metering, Billing”. CRM/CIS Africa
2005. 16-19 May.
The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology
http://www.akamaiuniversity.us/PJST.htm
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Volume 16. Number 2. November 2015 (Fall)