Why govt reversed free electricity meter policy, by minister

MINISTER of State for Power, Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi, has given cash crunch as reason for the reversal of Federal Government’s free meter policy.

Kuchi, who spoke at the commissioning of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) facilities at Akangba, Surulere and Ijora in Lagos, said the reversal of the policy became inevitable as no money was earmarked for the prepaid meters in the appropriation bill, hence the need for electricity consumers to buy meters.

At the event, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) blamed the government for the inability of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to effectively provide meters for customers across the country.

National Secretary of the union, Joe Ajaero, who confronted the Minister in Lagos, said the Federal Government’s inability to secure meter manufacturing companies in the country led to what he described as the pre-paid meter payment confusion caused by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

According to Ajaero, most of the meters in use in the country today were imported and this has contributed immensely to the scarcity, and “the country could no longer continue to import meters for customers. Nigeria, as big as we are, should at least have one or two meter manufacturing companies.”

He urged the government to urgently find lasting solution to the issue of having meter manufacturing companies before the sector is finally handed over to the new investors. He also enjoined the government to urgently look into the payment of retirees’ gratuity and pensions, alleging that pensioners have not been paid in the last one year.

However, the minister debunked Ajaero’s allegation on meter producing companies, stating that Nigeria has two meter manufacturing firms in Lagos and Kaduna. On the pre-paid meters, Kuchi said any customer who wishes to pay for the meter now would be compensated over time.

In return for payment, she said, such customers would get energy credit and reduction in their fixed charges over time. She stated: “Willing customers can advance money to the distribution companies after which a meter will be installed on their premises within a stipulated time frame.

“In exchange for this advance, the DISCOs will, in turn, reduce the customer’s electricity bills on a monthly basis to the tune of the amount originally advanced by the customers.”

According to her, the commission would accredit meter vendors to supply and install meters directly to customers. Kuchi further assured of adequate power supply to Nigerians. And, to ensure sustainable improvement in electricity supply, the minister said government was intensifying efforts to ensure that more power plants came on stream before the end of the year.

She noted that one of the key priorities of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration is the provision of adequate, reliable and affordable electricity supply to the people.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the current improvement in power supply witnessed nationwide would be continuously improved upon towards delivering the promise of the Federal Government to Nigerians,” she said.