In a decisive move to address the longstanding metering gap in Nigeria's power sector, the Federal Government, under the leadership of Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu, is set to receive the first batch of 3,205,101 meters ordered in 2024. These meters are integral to the government's strategy to ensure accurate billing and enhance transparency within the electricity distribution framework.
Scheduled Deliveries and Distribution Plans
The delivery schedule for the meters is as follows:
April 2025: 75,000 meters under the International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1).
May 2025: An additional 200,000 meters.
These initial deliveries are part of a broader plan to distribute meters nationwide, aiming to eliminate estimated billing practices and provide consumers with greater control over their electricity usage.
Progress and Future Targets
Despite previous criticisms regarding the pace of metering, significant progress has been made:
December 2024: 5,502,460 customers metered, representing approximately 55% of the 10,114,060 active electricity customers in Nigeria.
2024 Installations: 572,050 meters installed, maintaining an annual average of about 668,000 meters over recent years.
Looking ahead, the government has set ambitious targets:
Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI): Aims to distribute 10 million prepaid meters over a five-year period, with 2 million meters targeted for distribution before the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP): Plans to deliver 3,205,101 meters by 2026, utilizing various procurement models, including ICB1, National Competitive Bid (NCB), and ICB2.
Financial Commitments and Strategic Initiatives
To support these initiatives, the Federal Government has allocated ₦700 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for the procurement and distribution of meters. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been established to oversee the implementation of the PMI, with the goal of deploying two million meters annually over the next five years.
These structured interventions underscore the government's commitment to closing the metering gap, ensuring fair billing practices, and improving the overall efficiency of the electricity sector. Consumers are encouraged to stay informed about the rollout schedules and take advantage of the opportunities provided by these initiatives.
Keywords: Nigeria electricity metering, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Presidential Metering Initiative, Distribution Sector Recovery Program, prepaid meters distribution, estimated billing elimination, power sector transparency, consumer electricity billing, Nigerian electricity consumers, metering gap closure.
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