BUFFALO CITY METRO URGES RESIDENTS NOT TO RESIST SMART METERS
The Buffalo City Metro is cautioning against reports of resistance by some communities, the latest being some Mdantsane residents, who are not allowing Municipal officials to install smart meters.
We would like to caution against this and advise residents not to listen to fake social media posts urging them to resist smart meters. The Municipality is rolling out smart water and smart electricity meter boxes. Consumers who miss out on these new technology installations will bear the consequences.
The smart water meters project is being rolled out to limit billing errors, ensure consumption reading accuracy and limit contact. As at 08 July 2021, about 96,420 smart water meters have been installed in Buffalo City households. Equally, the smart electricity meter boxes are being installed in households with the aim of managing electricity usage in a reliable, safe and cost-effective manner.
The smart meter boxes system will also help consumers monitor their electricity consumption. For the Municipality, this process will assist us in auditing electricity meters, improve the accuracy and efficiency of the billing process. This project includes the changing of the old meters to the latest technology and the audit of the electricity meters in the Metro.
As as at 8 July 2021, about 23,318 Smart electricity meters have been installed. The installation of the smart meter meters in households kicked off in the Nahoon area and other parts of East London in October 2019.
It requires no payment. With the high crime rate and obvious panic caused when strangers walk into ones yards, we urge residents to allow our Municipal officials entry into their homes but take the necessaryprecautions. Covid-19 restrictions of wearing a mask, keeping social distance and sanitising must also be observed. Our officials will wear identifiable attire traveling on a car with a BCM sticker and carry with them a Municipal smart ID card.
The card will have a photograph of the official, full names, designation and identity numbers with a Municipal logo as the watermark. The Metro urges residents to be vigilant and not just allow anyone into their homes without any proper identification. For more information on the programme kindly email the Project Manager’s Office on Smart_Metering_Query@buffalocity.gov.za.
2021-07-22