Aba Power Limited (APL), has announced readiness to begin large-scale metering across its power distribution network in Abia State and surrounding areas. The move is aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of electricity supply.
Metering which is a major device in power generation, is used to capture amd measure power consumption by individuals.
Addressing Newsmen shortly after the commissioning of the newly built 2×15 MVA Ogbor Hill Substation, an event graced by the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the Chief Operating Officer, Aba Power, Mr Blessing Ogbe, disclosed that APL is set to roll out over 5,000 meters within the first week of May, as part of a broader metering campaign.
According to him, the APL is commencing mass metering, whereby, free meters would be deployed to feeders. He said the power company has over 30 feeders with just six feeders completely covered with metering, that is, the first customer close to the injection substation, to the last customer in the terminal pole, a term he referred to as end to end.
“We aim to provide quality power supply and ensure that every customer under our feeders is properly metered. Previously, we had only 7,000 meters installed. Today, we have surpassed 60,000, and the process continues.
“We are out to give quality supply, so that our customers can be satisfied with our service. One of such ways, is to ensure those in our feeders are metered”, he explained.
According to Mr Ogbe, the areas benefiting from the initiative included, Owerrinta, Aba East, Aba Township, Guinness, World Bank, and Ehi Road, where their feeders are located.
“These feeders have been completed, we are going into mass metering program, which is bid to commence this month. Already, we are taking inventory of some meters, about 5000 will be arriving by Tuesday, the 6th of May, 2025. We have 3000 meters on ground and the experts are already on ground”,he said.
Ogbe further hinted on the Mass metering program, describing it as a process of metering everyone in the feeder, starting from the first to the last customer. “If we have 5000 customers to a feeder for example, our mass metering program, is basically ensuring that the whole 5000 customers are metered”.
Although, he said that there are alternatives for customers who cannot wait for the mass metering system, urging them to come their office for a guide on what to do.
Chief Operating Officer, Aba Power, Blessing Ogbe
The Chief Operating Officer, however, disclosed that there are three vendors in partnership with the Aba Power Limited for the supply of the meters. ” We are expecting the first 20,000 meters within the week, tomorrow we will take delivery of 5000 meters. Before the end of the month, we are to receive 40,000 meters”, Ogbe added.
On his part, the Member representing Aba North State Constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Aaron Uzodike, commended the efforts of the Aba Power station, especially on the area of mass metering.
Hon Aaron Uzodike, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Power and Public Utilities, praised Aba Power for keeping its promise to commence metering in the month of May. He confirmed that more than 5,000 meters were ready for free distribution to residents.
Member representing Aba North State Constituency, Hon Aaron Uzodike
He explained that when the power company was summoned at the Abia State House of Assembly, they hinted that they would begin mass metering by May. Hon Uzodike, expressed satisfaction that the Power company kept their words, affirming that over 5000 meters were already on ground to be distributed to Aba residents free of charge.
Addressing concerns over high tariffs, Hon Uzodike noted that the rates are set by the national regulatory body in charge of power and not Aba Power. However, he urged the company to introduce flexible payment plans and avoid billing customers who haven’t received electricity.
“We told APL to design a payment formula that can be easy for people to pay, perhaps splitting the bills. We mandated them not to bill anyone that was not supplied power. They, however, assured us of quality service delivery, but we are watching them”, he said.
Member representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon Stephen Akachukwu
His counterpart representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon Stephen Akachukwu, also lauded Aba Power’s efforts, describing their progress as commendable.
