ENEO PREPAID ELECTRICITY METRES:Consumers have the ultimate control over their money
By Alphonse Abongwa Achu
Officials of Cameroon’s electricity supply company, ENEO say the prepaid meter introduced in 2018 is a means to give consumers control over their expenses and modernize the billing process. The company has a target to get 60.000 consumers adhere to this modern metering system by the end of 2022.
Prepaid meters are said to be a revolution in Cameroon’s electricity billing system. The miniature meter which is now being introduced in households and small and medium size businesses has been described as the answer to squabbles between customers and ENEO agents, nauseating queues at commercial agencies of the electricity company amongst other issues. Officials of the electricity company underscore that the prepaid meter gives the consumer his place as king given that he has the latitude to determine how much money to fill and control their consumption at their convenience as from 1000 frs.
The company is on a move to get more Cameroonian households swap to this new dispensation and the target is to reach 60.000 adherents by the end of this year.
During a two day exchange with members of the Douala branch of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists, Camasej-D, it was revealed that application for this prepaid meter is simple: « If you don’t have a meter, you apply for a new connection on the website link of the company or nearest agency. If it is an existing meter, just go to your agency and give your past bill and location plan and you will be connected » expounded Jean Serge Ekoé, Special Projects Sub Director at ENEO.
Quizzes on how the tariffing is usually done at the electricity supply company, the official was lucid: « The tariff is approved by the regulator, ARSEL. If you are a very low consumption costumer, you are charged for every unit consumed at 50frs from 0 to 120 units with no Value Added Tax, VAT. If you are above the 150 units and below 220 units you are charged 95frs per unit consumed still without VAT. When you go above 220 units of consumption, that is where your bill is given with a Value Added Tax » he explained.
With regard to high bills that are usually served households, the company explained that the age of equipment in the house and their consumption characteristics could account for this. Also, electricity theft along supply networks could inflate bills. The Pressmen and women also left the workshop with the understanding that
If one is relocating, they cannot go along with their meter because it is a property of ENEO. So transfer cases are backed by notification to the electricity supply company which follows up for new installation in the new location.
There are mixed feelings over the prepaid meters as some Cameroonians admit it has rather taken their bills higher. This however is not the opinion of others who say the innovation is a welcome initiative given that it limits unhealthy confrontations with the company officials and makes life easy for them.
