Nigerians waiting to get metered by the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) may have to endure for longer as the installation of prepaid meters is projected to gulp over N200 billion.

The Discos’ inability to meter every household is further compounded by liquidity problem challenges, which makes it difficult for them to access credit to purchase meters.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who disclosed the robust metering requirement of the sector at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Department of Economics 2017 Public Lecture Series, however regretted that one of the omissions of the privatisation carried out by the last administration was its lack of compulsory metering component before the conclusion of the programme.

This, he said, was compounded by an inaccurate consumer projection of six million households, without a consumer audit, adding that these are the problems the Buhari government was trying to fix with the Power Sector Recovery Programme.

‘‘What we must insist on is the provision of meters, so that we can monitor and control what we consume. Government must also not interfere with the power of the regulator when it fixes tariff in the way the last administration ordered a reversal of tariff in order to win electoral votes in 2014.

“It created massive debt for Nigeria because while the government ordered a reversal of tariff, it did not reduce exchange rate, interest rate, cost of wages or cost of gas and other inputs necessary to produce power,’’ he disclosed.

The Minister queried why Nigeria should carry a debt created by an individual’s electoral ambition, adding that this was what the Buhari administration had to contend with.

He revealed that most, if not all, the oil and gas producing communities where there is electricity connection do not pay for power because somebody is carrying the cost.

This, he said, is worsened by the fact that the light bulbs are on during the day while in some communities they are never switched off, saying such act is waste because what is wasted will never be enough.

The Minister explained that different classes of consumers require different types of meters, including single and multiple phases, to ensure that meter matches consumer consumption, adding that meters by the same manufacturers are calibrated for each Disco’s use such that a consumer cannot use a meter calibrated for Ikeja Disco in Eko Disco without re-calibration.


http://www.energywatchng.com/discos-need-n220bn-give-consumers-meter-fashola/

How much did u say they need exactly. #220bn just for meter they for Ku Ku say trillion. Make we hear word

Then we should look for an alternative

Fashola is the new house boy or in English spokesman of discos and gencos. I pity whoever appointed that goat as minister.

The privatization of the DISCOS was highly politicalized, I can't remember govt helping MTN, GLO, ECONET this much in providing their services


Nigerians on the other hands should realize that it is no longer business as usual and should brace up to pay for utility bills if they actually desire the services


For those who are ignorant of the reality on ground, GEJ handed/sold Distribution and Generation responsibilities to investors, Govt is only saddled with transmission of generated power and regulation of the activities of the investors to enhance consumers protection


Availability of electricity is not solely the responsibility of the Govt/ Fashola, they are only making efforts at compelling and encouraging the producers to produce more for distribution companies to feed the consumers


It is just a matter of time before electricity availability in Nigeria will become a thing of the past

Atleast it is still cheaper than generator

That meter is a must o, the rate at which these NEPA Guys are charging person these days is too much.