FG commences nationwide distribution of 1m free meters in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos
The Federal Government said that it will commence the distribution of free meters with the target of getting 30 million consumers.
The National Mass Metering Programme, (NMMP), is expected to commence Friday, October 30, 2020, and to be simultaneously launched in Kano, Kaduna, Eko and Ikeja DISCO franchise areas.
A Presidency source disclosed that the free meter distribution was in fulfillment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to ensure mass metering in the country and put an end to the problems of estimated billing in the electricity sector.
The Presidency sources also revealed that the locations to receive meters include Bawo Road and environs in Kano metropolis under (KEDCO), Governor Road/Tudun Wada in Kaduna under (Kaduna Electric), Oshodi Business Unit in Ikeja under (Ikeja Electric), and Yaba and Surulere under (Eko DISCO).
According to the presidency source the key stakeholders to monitor the launch of the distribution include Kaduna, Kano and Lagos State Government representatives, the Senate Committee and House Chairman on Power as well as representatives of organized Labour and Civil Society Organizations.
“NMMP is to roll out six million meters for all connections points on grid without meters over the next 18 to 24 months, estimating to impact 30 million consumers nationwide.
“Following Mr President’s directive on mass metering, the Central Bank of Nigeria, on October 18th, 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 source stressed.
The source pointed out that” the launch of the NMMP will be part of a continuous effort where all DisCos will go from location to location across the country with their respective Meter Asset Providers to install meters for all Nigerians.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande confirmed the story on the free meters, addin that more details will emerge as the distribution progresses nationwide.
Akande highlighted that efforts by the Federal Government on improving power supply and mass metering was in line with some of the agreement reached between the Federal Government and organized Labour recently.
Recall that President Buhari had promised that Nigerians would be metered prior to the end of his Administration while estimated billing would be ended.
Incidentally, free distribution of electricity meters happened to part of the agreement reached between the Federal Government and the organized labour after government increased the electricity tariff.
Minister of State for Power, Prince Godwin Jedy-Agba declared that out of the six million meters to be distributed, the government would start with one mission and they were expected to be distributed before the end of December 2020.
