The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu had hinted the possibility of ending the substantial metering gap in Nigeria before the end of the year, stressing that citizens are tired of estimated billing.
Adelabu disclosed this during a working visit and inspection tour of Mojec Group, a major stakeholder in the power sector.
“Before the end of this year, we are looking at the possibility of ending estimated billing because we want transparency and objectivity in our billing system,” adding that the Presidential metering initiative will harmonize all metering acquisitions in the country.
One of the considerations is to mop up available meters assembled in-country and incentivize indigenous meter manufacturers to enhance their plant capacities to meet demand structure of the Presidential Metering Initiative, PMI.
Adelabu, said President Bola Tinubu, has instructed that Nigeria’s import dependency would be significantly minimized before it would eventually be ended.
He said that in addition to repositioning the meter production sector, a new Bill to promote local content implementation in the power sector is being perfected for consideration by the National Assembly.
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He said that importation of goods especially smart prepaid meters is inimical to national development, employment generation and economic growth and that 90 per cent of the current hardship in Nigeria was caused by the country’s import dependence.
The Minister further said the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), is making move to embark on bulk procurement of smart meters, the development of indigenous Meter Data Management Systems (MDMS), and the reduction of Aggregated Technical and Commercial (ATC&C) losses to improve the efficiency and reliability of the energy infrastructure in Nigeria.
He said though the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) is not presently considering special intervention options because of issues arising from previous uncoordinated interventions but he is in talks with the CBN, to consider the dire demand of the sector and provide the necessary support for local meter manufacturers.
The Group Managing Director of MOJEC Group, Chantelle Abdul, had earlier told the Minister that the anticipated local content drive being advocated by him would go a long way to strengthen local manufacturers who are in need of intervention by the government.
She informed the Minister that despite bank guarantees by Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos, MOJEC has spearheaded deployment of meters at its own risk across the country.
According to her, about 5 million per-paid electricity meters so far installed under different government meter deployment initiatives, her company is responsible for 50 per cent of the number so achieved.
She said the group is ready to enhance present installed meter production capacity to meet demand level by the PMI.
