The federal government has stated that it is set to receive the first batch of 3,205,101 meters procured to bridge the metering gap in the country.
A statement by Bolaji Tunji, the media aide to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu said 75,000 meters under the International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1) are expected by April 2025, followed by the second batch of 200,000 meters in May 2025.
The statement stated that while challenges persist in metering electricity consumers, metering installations have been progressing steadily.
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He said, “As of December 2024, a total of 5,502,460 customers had been metered, representing about 55 per cent of the 10,114,060 active electricity customers in Nigeria. In 2024 alone, 572,050 meters were installed.
“While the government acknowledges the existing metering gap, it is actively working to close it as quickly as possible. However, the fact remains that a sizable portion of active electricity users already have meters, countering the exaggerated portrayal of an industry in crisis.”
According to the statement, though installation rates have varied over the years, the sector maintains a yearly average of about 668,000 meters installed. Additionally, structured financing and government-backed initiatives are expected to accelerate deployment beyond the current pace, ensuring that the metering gap is addressed efficiently.
“To bridge this gap, the government has put in place key initiatives aimed at significantly improving metering across the country. The Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP) is set to deliver 3,205,101 meters by 2026.
“This will be achieved through different procurement models, including 1,437,501 meters through International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1), 217,600 meters through National Competitive Bid (NCB), and 1,550,000 meters through International Competitive Bid 2 (ICB2). As part of this plan, the first batch of 75,000 meters under ICB1 is expected by April 2025, followed by the second batch of 200,000 meters in May 2025.
“In addition to the DISREP, the N700bn Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) is another key intervention designed to accelerate metering. The initiative, which has already secured N700bn from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), is structured to ensure large-scale meter procurement and deployment. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been established to oversee the implementation of the initiative.”
SOURCE: Daily Trust