An assessment of billing electricity consumers via analogue meters in Kano, Nigeria, by Kano electricity distribution plc

Abstract

This paper assesses the perception of billing consumers via analogue meter in Kano Electricity Distribution Plc, Nigeria. Questionnaire survey was used to collect data from the consumers, frequency counts and percentages were used to analyze the generated data. The result of the study revealed that 38% of the Analogue meters were installed between eleven to twenty one years ago; hence the need for replacement of obsolete meters and periodic inspection of all consumers’ meters at least once in three months for proper reading is vital in order to achieve accurate billing. The study also revealed poor and unreliable power supply and most often the bills issued for the electricity consumption are based on estimates, thus contributing to poor consumers’ response to payments of electricity bills. Some suggestions that can facilitate the improvements of the operation of the Distribution Company were offered.

Keywords: Electricity Distribution, Consumers, Analogue Meter, Billing, Nigeria