FG bans DisCos from charging for meters, warns of prosecution for extortion
The Federal Government has banned electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and installers from collecting payments for meters, warning that any official found extorting customers will be prosecuted.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, gave the warning on Thursday during an inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos.
He said the meters were procured under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) and must be installed free of charge.
“I want to mention that it is unprecedented that these meters are to be installed and distributed to consumers free of charge—free of charge! Nobody should collect money from any consumer. It is an illegality,” Adelabu said.
He added that officials or installers demanding money “will be prosecuted”, stressing that the policy applies to all electricity customers, regardless of tariff band.
Adelabu expressed satisfaction with the arrival of another tranche of about 500,000 smart meters, bringing total deliveries under the programme close to one million, with nearly 150,000 already installed nationwide.
“The main objective of coming here today is to carry out a physical on-site inspection of shipments of smart meters that the Federal Government has imported under the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme,” he said, adding that the government plans to import about 3.4 million meters in two batches.
While admitting dissatisfaction with the pace of metering, the minister said the initiative marked a turning point. “I believe that the journey of completely eliminating the meter gap in the Nigerian power sector has just begun,” he said.
Adelabu disclosed that a customer complaint desk would be opened to report extortion, noting that confirmed cases would be publicised as a deterrent. “Extortion is not allowed… the officials involved—no matter how high—will be prosecuted,” he said.
Also speaking, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayo Gbeleyi, said the bureau coordinates DISREP and monitors implementation across all 11 DisCos. He said NERC would soon issue a circular to ensure DisCos grant unhindered access for meter installations.
“We are monitoring this. We have our dashboard, trackers, and all stakeholders’ hands on deck to ensure seamless and rapid deployment of these meters,” Gbeleyi said.
Chairman of Mojec, Mojisola Abdul, said about 150,000 meters had already been installed at no cost to consumers. “Don’t give anybody money. You are not allowed,” she said, adding that a mobile registration system would allow customers to receive meters within three days of registering.
