President Goodluck Jonathan has approved funds for the procurement of one million electricity meters.

This is coming as the Federal Government on Thursday shifted its earlier target of generating 6,000MW of electricity before the end of 2014 to 2015.

Addressing the complaints of power consumers and civil society organisations during a town hall meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said the private sector owners of the electricity distribution companies inherited a lot of customers who had no meters.

He said, “The private sector inherited a customer base in which 50 per cent do not have meters. Nigeria has the highest per capital electricity theft in the world. That is why we are now doing smart meters and we are moving to a place where the meters will be mounted on poles, because something has got to be done fast.

“As a result of the burden on the Discos due to meter issues, the President has provided funding to give over one million meters to Nigerians to reduce the gap and then allow the Discos ensure that all customers are given meters.”

Asked to state when Nigerians would start seeing the meters, Nebo said, “The fact is that the funding has been approved by Mr. President and the funds will be released very soon. These meters are being procured and I do think that in the next couple of months, you will begin to see them because the mechanism still needs to be developed on how they will be shared to the distribution companies.

“They (Discos) will distribute and install these meters and these are all being worked out. Some people may not be happy to give you meters, but we think we should continue to insist that every consumer must be given a meter because the only way to stop estimated billing is to provide these meters.”

Electricity consumers who do not have meters receive estimated bills monthly.

This has been widely criticised by stakeholders who argue that the development is being abused by the electricity distribution companies to extort money from their customers by issuing inflated bills based on estimation.

On the country’s new power generation target, Nebo said, “We have an outlook for 2015 to 2017. People are saying you people said you will do 6,000 megawatts, yes! We have the capacity standing, we now have the gas standing and we are going to do that shortly within this year. But beyond that, by 2016 we expect to get up to 10,000MW and by 2017 to get 12,500MW.”

Statistics obtained from the ministry showed that peak generation on Wednesday was 4,405.6MW; energy generation, 4,000.63MW; while energy sent out was 3,914.60MW. Peak demand was, however, put at 12,800MW.

On gas pipelines vandalism, Nebo said the country lost an average of 1,000MW in 2014 as a result of the activities of vandals.

He called for the speedy passage of bills that would ensure “severe punishment of pipeline vandals, because anytime the country’s power generation crosses the 4,000MW mark, vandals will strike our gas installations and end up dragging down the figure.”

The minister noted that the ministry was working with security agencies to address the issue of vandalism, stressing that the government was seeing the menace as sabotage against its power reforms.


http://www.punchng.com/business/business-economy/power-fg-to-buy-one-million-meters/

Jonathan is the best and trusted candidate, he can never be compared with any waec degree holder or certificate finder.

Meanwhile GEJ till 2019

Ride on Mr president with your Transformation







We say no to a backward Change

I thought it's discos that is suppose to provide meters? How many meters can fg procure knowing fully well the numbers of houses in Nigeria, the best thing to do is to force the discos to provide the meters it will cushion the effect of putting the cost on one individual body

Nctrice:
I beg this is needed, we need pre-paid meters in every home, because holding companies are rolling out bills to individuals like they like, my bill for last month and this month is outrageous! January is just half way gone and they are giving me my January bill!

Just because we now have consistent light all day does not give them the right to extort us!

We enjoy the light and we are willing to pay for it, but when they give us a bill and we can't tell what parameter they use to allot the bill then someone is being deceived and cheated!

Good work Mr. President! Very responsive of you Sire!

I thought I'm the only one noticing the improvement in electricity supply.
On topic, I expect Electricity regulation commission to check the excesses of these DISCOs before they shock us to death with unreasonable bills.

Truth is GEJ's performance in the power sector is remarkable, the best thing to happen to this country. Structures laid down will soon make Nigeria a power house when it comes to electricity generation and distribution. If previous administrations did what he did, Nigerians would been enjoying stable electricity today.
My area enjoy at least 12-15 hours of electricity a day.

Blakjewelry:
I thought it's discos that is suppose to provide meters? How many meters can fg procure knowing fully well the numbers of houses in Nigeria, the best thing to do is to force the discos to provide the meters it will cushion the effect of putting the cost on one individual body

If the discos are forced to provide meters, electricity consumers will bear the cost of procurement in their electric bills. This is what government is trying to prevent.

Nctrice:
I beg this is needed, we need pre-paid meters in every home, because holding companies are rolling out bills to individuals like they like, my bill for last month and this month is outrageous! January is just half way gone and they are giving me my January bill!

Just because we now have consistent light all day does not give them the right to extort us!

We enjoy the light and we are willing to pay for it, but when they give us a bill and we can't tell what parameter they use to allot the bill then someone is being deceived and cheated!

Good work Mr. President! Very responsive of you Sire!

still waiting for ours. A friend already called me complaining about the extortion. Imagine a flat paying 10,000 naira per month. Ours is ranging between 7 - 8,000 per month; that is after laying complain oo. Can't wait for the prepaid meter to be given free. Last time I checked for it, they told me to pay 40k. My area is Aguda, Surulere close to Sanya Bus Stop.


*******modified*******
Just got home and cannot believe what I just saw on our power bill. It dropped from 8k to just 1k5. With a new billing invoice from EKEDP. Things r getting better.

^^^^

That's cool to know.
Is there a general improvement in electricity supply in the country?

BlackPikiN:
^^^^

That's cool to know.
Is there a general improvement in electricity supply in the country?

There is huge improvement in my area.

We shall get there...

Always future wayo tense to deceive the gullible.

INTERESTING!!!

That huge difference is because of election. More so, some people are suffering it while you enjoy power vice versa..

Election Eve - Train works, Power improves etc

Post Election - Train disappears, Power supply drops..

The loop continues

Let there be light.....

We seriously need that so that all these mess of Incompetency and clueless will stop depite NOTHING ONE CAN DO TO APPEASE THE gODS (APC)




NICE ONE mr President, empty space of the universe is ur limit


We are solidly behind you


You have been serving this community for the past 30yrs

Nice one