Aba Power Addresses Public Concerns On Arrears Deduction, Mass Metering

Reacting to criticisms that trailed the method of arrears deduction by Aba Power Limited, APL, the electricity company has finally addressed the public concerns.

In a statement released on 25th of July, Aba Power said those criticizing the company exercise and method of arrears deduction are ignorant of what they are saying, according to the statement, APL said they are following due process backed by the rules and regulations of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Abacityblog recalled that APL had embarked on mass metering exercise across Aba ring fence, the exercise which is aimed at making sure that electricity consumers in Aba are metered.

While the exercise has yield massive results, many has faulted the method of arrears deduction by the company. Some consumers told AbaCityBlog that they knew that their building was owing arrears, however, they were expecting APL to cutdown their arrears deduction whenever they recharge their prepaid meter.

A consumer told this platform that it is outrageous, according to the user, he met about a million plus in arrears in his prepaid meter, and he contacted APL they told him to pay %50 of the amount arrears before he could get electricity.

“I found it outrageous, I thought that even if it is a fact that we are owing in arrears, why can’t they allow us to have electricity and they deduct the arrears whenever we recharge. Why asked us to pay about N500k before using electricity?

Abacityblog platform found out that both many consumers are facing the same challenges in city of Aba as many announced have plan to resort to generator for electricity.

Responding to the criticism and public outcry that greeted the exercise, APL said whatever measures the company had taken is for the good of the people (consumers).

The company stressed that the consumers were told on what to do before the mass metering exercise.

Parts of the statement read;

“The attention of the Management of Aba Power has been drawn to recent attempts by certain individuals to incite public protests over the deduction of arrears during token vending.

We believe it is important to provide clarity and guidance to all our esteemed customers regarding this issue.

1. Billing Practices and Regulatory Compliance

Aba Power remains fully compliant with regulatory billing standards. Unlike many DisCos recently sanctioned by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for arbitrary billing, Aba Power has never been fined. Our billing practices, especially for unmetered customers, strictly follow NERC’s approved methodology.

2. Nature of Arrears

Arrears are not applied arbitrarily or without basis. They result from either non-payment or underpayment of previous electricity bills. Every amount factored into your account reflects actual consumption that remains unpaid.

3. Mass Metering Initiative and Arrears Recovery

We have commenced the rollout of free prepaid meters under our mass metering initiative, currently deployed across nine feeders and counting.

While these meters are issued at no cost, there are legitimate components programmed into them at installation:

Preloaded Units: Each meter comes with 20 units of electricity, which must be paid for in full before your first token can be generated.

Final Bill: This covers energy consumed up to the date of meter installation and is not required to be paid in full immediately.

Once the preload is cleared, the vending system is designed to distribute any subsequent payment across three components:

• Part goes toward repaying the final bill,
• Part toward clearing any arrears (referred to as APLE Arrears), and The remaining part is issued as energy tokens.

We emphasize that customers are not blocked from vending due to arrears. The system is deliberately configured to ensure you continue to receive electricity  while gradually repaying what is owed. However, customers must clear their arrears to receive the full value of their recharge.

Aba Power, while appreciating their customers, urge consumers with concerns about their arrears to visit their offices for amicable resolution or to arrange flexible payment plans.

“We deeply appreciate our customers who have remained patient, peaceful, and understanding. We appeal for continued cooperation and discourage any attempt to politicize or destabilize ongoing progress.

“To those who are yet to receive meters, we assure you that our mass metering initiative is ongoing and will intensify in the coming weeks. We also urge you to review your outstanding balances and begin addressing any arrears ahead of meter installation,” the statement concluded.