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The use of prepaid meters

Sep 24, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I am a believer of technological advancement and its spill-off benefits. GPL’s use of prepaid meters would see the company achieving a few benefits apart from its use as a control mechanism against the theft of power.
The use of prepaid meter would undoubtedly bring to GPL the following: –
* Reduced operational overheads
* No need to have meter readers
* No preparation of bills and postage of bills
* Improve its operating capital status due to revenue accrued from pre-selling of services.
The individuals using prepaid meters in addition to allowing the company the comfort of not worrying about theft, hence no policing of their installation, also can be seen as a facilitator to the power generation and supply process.
Someone who buys a prepaid power card is in fact investing in the power company’s operation. The money paid for the future use of power would be available to the company to cover its current expenses. The card holder has to effect operations (key in a code) to allow the company to deliver its services.
I have no information on the skill requirement for these operation but intrinsically some cost needs to be considered. In such a situation it would only be fair that the company consider a reduced tariff to prepaid meters users.
Not to mention the inconvenience users may experience if the purchased amount runs out at the beginning of a long holiday weekend, unless these cards would be available at corner shops.
In the midst of all of this I am questioning the power company’s ability to really introduce such a technological feature. It is known that GPL is not a reliable service supply company. In this respect I am wondering if it would not be opening itself to litigations.
Consumers buying prepaid cards in effect would be entering into contracts with GPL to get power on demand. Can GPL keep its end of such a contract? My answer is no.
While I am on the use of prepaid cards, I often wonder why prepaid cell phone charges are higher than post-paid ones.
Elton McRae

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