Free Distribution Of Six Million Prepaid Meters To Nigerians Begins Today – FG

The free distribution of prepaid electricity meters will commence on Friday (Today) with the unveiling of the scheme in Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos by the Electricity Distribution Companies.

A Presidency source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak on the issue, confirmed the development to journalists.

The free meter distribution is a fulfilment of the promise by President Muhammadu Buhari to promote mass metering in the country and put a stop to estimated billing in the power sector.

The distribution is planned to be executed under the National Mass Metering Programme.

He identified the locations to receive the meters to include Bawo Road and its environs in Kano metropolis, Oshodi Business Unit in Ikeja; Yaba and Surulere and Governor Road/Tudun Wada in Kaduna.

According to him, the Chairmen of Senate and House committees on Power, Kaduna, Kano and Lagos State Government’s representatives and representatives of the organised labour and Civil Society Organisations are among the stakeholders that will oversee the exercise.

“The NMMP is to roll out six million meters for all connections points on grid without meters over the next 18 to 24 months, estimated to impact 30 million consumers nationwide.

“Following Mr President’s directive on mass metering, the Central Bank of Nigeria, on October 18, approved guidelines for funding the mass metering programme which entailed that all meters under the scheme will be locally sourced, creating thousands of manufacturing jobs through lead manufacturers such as MOMAS, MOJEC and others,” the Presidency source said.

Meanwhile, Laolu Akande, the senior special assistant to the vice president on media and publicity, has confirmed the development.

He said “current efforts by the Federal Government on improving power supply and mass metering is in line with some of the agreements recently reached between the Federal Government and the organised labour.

“Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had committed that Nigerians would be metered before the end of his administration and that estimated billing would be ended.”

The Nigerian government had on Monday promised to install one million meters by year end to close up the humongous metering gap in the distribution segment of the power value chain.