The federal government has prohibited electricity distribution firms (DisCos) and their installers from collecting any kind of payment for the installation of meters, threatening to prosecute officials who are found to be extorting customers. During an on-site examination of recently imported smart meters at APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu issued the mandate on Thursday. He stated that the meters must be placed for customers at no cost and were purchased through the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), which is supported by the World Bank.
Adelabu was welcomed by Emmanuel Oshoba, the Area Controller of the Nigerian Customs Service's Apapa Port Command, and he expressed delight with the program's addition of an additional 500,000 smart meters. He emphasized that all pricing bands of electricity users would receive the meters.
He clarified that under DISREP, the federal government intends to import roughly 3.4 million meters in two phases, starting with 1.43 million. Approximately 150,000 meters have been put in countrywide, and nearly a million meters have already arrived.
Although he voiced concern with the pace of deployment, he added that the most recent shipment of 500,000 meters represented a significant step towards addressing Nigeria's metering gap.
According to Adelabu, the program would increase consumer willingness to pay, improve liquidity in the power industry, and increase justice and transparency in electricity billing. He noted that by taking direct action to address a metering shortfall that had existed for decades, the Tinubu administration was exhibiting significant political will.
“We are not saying this behind closed doors. The installation of these meters is free, and any attempt to collect money is an offence. We will monitor the process end-to-end, open customer complaint desks, and rely on tip-offs from Nigerians. Confirmed cases of extortion will lead to prosecution, regardless of the status of those involved,” he warned.
In order to expedite installations, the minister revealed intentions to establish a register for unmetered users. He also mentioned that issues with client data were being resolved in cooperation with DisCos. He insisted that meter distribution will not be limited to any specific tariff band and underlined that the program encompasses all consumer groups.
“The issue of Band A, B, or C is temporary. Every Nigerian electricity consumer will be metered,” Adelabu said.