By Francis Akinnodi

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) have restated its commitment to continue with the Meter Asset Providers (MAP) scheme to eliminate estimated billing in its coverage areas of Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo.

Ondo State Public Relation Officer, BEDC, Michael Barnabas told The Hope that the continuation of MAP was to bridge the metering gap in the company’s operation areas.

He also said the effort was to ensure accurate and transparent billing, better energy management and energy accounting.

“The management came up with the continuation of MAP because phase zero of the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) which is the pilot phase has ended.

“But the National Electricity Regulatory Commission has announced that phase one of NMMP would commence soon where about four million meters will be installed for free.

“While we wait for the next phase, MAP scheme will continue in our coverage areas.

“So, anybody who wants meter and cannot wait for NMMP which is free can come and pay for meter under MAP scheme.”

The spokesperson said that the meter under the MAP scheme would be a 100 per cent upfront payment and the money would be refunded through energy credit within a period of time.