Take Advantage of Ongoing Free Metering Programme, Eko DisCo Urges Customers

Ayodeji Ake

Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko DisCo) has renewed its call for customers across its network to take full advantage of its ongoing free metering programme, reiterating that prepaid meters remain completely free of charge under the MAF Tranche B scheme and are obtainable only through official Eko DisCo customers webportal.

The DisCo emphasised that customers must avoid patronising third-party agents, warning that doing so exposes them to fraud, delays, and non-standard services.

This renewed advocacy was made during Eko DisCo’s Customer Engagement Forum for the Apapa District.The forum is part of the company’s sustained efforts to deepen transparency , strengthen community relationships, and address persistent concerns around supply , metering, customer service, and the dangerous menace of energy theft.

The well-attended session brought together community leaders, security agencies, senior Eko DisCo officials, business stakeholders, and residents. Traditional rulers were led by His Royal Highness, Oba Moroof Oyekunle Atanda Amodu-Tijani Oluwa (Amore III) of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, accompanied by his chiefs. Also in attendance were the Area Commander of Area B Command HQ, Apapa, ACP Onwuamaegbu Onyinye, and the Divisional Police Officer of Ajeromi Division, CSP Uche Gabriel, reflecting the importance of collaboration between security institutions, utility providers, and community representatives in ensuring safer electrical infrastructure.

In his address, the Head of the Eko DisCo delegation representing CEO, Rekhiat Mohmoh, General Manager, Corporate Communications, Babatunde Lasaki, expressed appreciation to the community for its continued cooperation and patience as the company works to improve electricity supply across the district.

He noted that the Customer Engagement Forum represents a core part of Eko DisCo’s service improvement strategy, ensuring that customers have direct access to senior management and can provide feedback that influences operational decisions.

Lasaki highlighted the company’s ongoing investments in network upgrades, transformer maintenance, feeder rehabilitation, and improved response protocols. He explained that Eko DisCo remained committed to enhancing supply quality despite broader challenges within the national grid. He also assured residents that their concerns would be addressed with urgency , especially as the company rolls out new initiatives aimed at improving reliability and accountability.

During the technical session, the Head of Distribution Operations, Engr. Henry Ukoh, delivered a detailed briefing on metering, safety , and operational reforms. He noted that Eko DisCo has, in recent months, scaled up its metering rollout under the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) Tranche B and the company’s internal metering scheme, ensuring that thousands of customers in the Apapa District and surrounding areas receive meters at no cost. He stressed that customers must apply directly online through Eko DisCo’s official Portals and should not pay any individual or group claiming to ‘fast-track’ the process.

Ukoh also addressed the serious challenge of illegal connections, one of the major causes of network overloading, transformer failures, energy losses, and unsafe electrical environments. He urged customers to serve as the company’s partners by reporting suspicious activities and avoiding the use of unqualified electricians (quacks).

According to him, illegal connections not only compromise supply quality but also endanger entire communities through the risk of electrocution and electrical fires.

He further encouraged customers to channel their complaints through Eko DisCo’s online platforms and by emails, explaining that online complaints receive quicker responses and allow for better tracking and resolution.

As part of its customer enlightenment drive, Eko DisCo also announced its ongoing weekly radio programme on Nigeria Info FM, airing every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. The programme serves as an interactive platform for customers to seek clarifications, make enquiries, and receive updates on meter installations, load shedding schedules, safety tips, tariff explanations, and other operational matters. Eko DisCo encouraged the public to tune in and participate actively, noting that public engagement remains essential for maintaining service improvement.

Reiterating the call for mass participation in the free metering initiative, Eko DisCo officials explained that prepaid meters help eliminate estimated billing, reduce disputes, encourage energy conservation, and enhance transparency in consumption management. Customers were assured that the meters are provided strictly free, with no application, processing, or installation fees attached. The company emphasized that any attempt by individuals to extort money under the guise of securing meters should be reported immediately.

During the interactive session, community members raised concerns about supply fluctuations, transformer maintenance timelines, and challenges related to vandalism. Security officials present pledged their support to curb energy theft, cable vandalism, and attacks on electrical infrastructure, stressing that such acts are criminal offenses with serious penalties.

The Apapa District covers communities such as Apapa, Badiya, Ajegunle, Ajeromi, Wharf Road, and various adjoining areas within Eko DisCo’s network. The company assured residents that its plans for the district include improved feeder load balancing, accelerated metering, reinforcement of transformer capacity , and enhanced customer service responsiveness.

Closing the forum, Lasaki reaffirmed the company’s mission to deliver safe, reliable, and transparent electricity supply. The company thanked the traditional rulers, security agencies, business associations, and residents for their participation and encouraged continuous collaboration.

Eko DisCo promised that the feedback gathered during the session will guide its operational Priorities in the months ahead, ensuring that the Apapa District receives sustained attention in service improvement planning.