The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, will begin mass metering for electricity consumers by May first, to bridge the metering gaps in the country.

Dr Usman Arabi, NERC General Manager Public Affairs in a statement said the metering will be executed under the Meter Asset Providers, MAP, programme of the Federal Government.

The commission issued permits to MAPs on April fifth, in accordance with section 4(3) of the MAP Regulations 2018, to MAPs that were successful in the procurements.

The procurement was conducted by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc AEDC and Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc, JEDC.

Section 4(3) of the MAP Regulation 2018 requires all electricity distribution licensees to engage MAPs that would assist, as investors, in closing the metering gap.

He said the payment and installation of the meters within the time frame was in accordance with section 18 (3) of the MAP Regulations 2018.

MAPs shall charge a maximum of thirty-six thousand, nine hundred and ninety-one naira fifty kobo for single phase meters and sixty-seven thousand, fifty-five naira and eighty-five kobo for three-phase meters.

These costs are inclusive of supply, installation, maintenance and replacement of meters over its technical life.

He said NERC shall monitor closely the rollout plan of distribution licensees and overall compliance with the regulation and various service agreements by the MAP and electricity distribution licensees.