FG makes U-turn, gives electricity metering nod

The Federal Government has made a U-turn over an earlier decision to leave metering in the hands of electricity distribution companies, DisCos.

In a statement by the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola while inspecting the National Meter Test Station at Oshodi, Lagos, said the government had resolved to roll out more electricity meters this year, adding that giving out meters is no longer the duty of the DisCos.

“We plan to roll out meters, and we must,” Fashola, said.

“The core business of DisCos is to transport energy; their business is not to supply meters”.

“The government will address metering more vigorously this year with regulations which will open up business in metering to more investors”.

According to the minister, taking metering off the DisCos will reduce the pressure, allowing them to focus on their core business of electricity distribution.

Fashola’s statement confirms an earlier report by SweetCrudeReports, that the government will revive the 2015 abandoned metering plan.

According to the report, the metering plan set in motion by the Obasanjo administration was also picked up by Jonathan’s administration but later abandoned.

The metering project to supply over 600, 000 meters as at that time, was to be funded from the sale of the NIPP power plants, however, the plants are yet to be sold up till date.

If all goes according to plans by the Buhari administration, local meter manufacturers such as Mojec, Moman, and others, as listed in the 2015 contract seen by SweetcrudeReports, will likely get the deal for the supply of the meters