The Federal Government has directed Electricity Distribution Company (DisCos) and meter installation contractors to stop collecting money from consumers for the installation of electricity meters.
The government also warned that anyone found charging consumers or selling meters will face punitive action.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, during an inspection of newly imported smart meters at the APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos.
The meters were procured under the World Bank’s Distribution Sector Recovery Programme ((DISREP).
Adelabu explained that the meters must be installed free of charge, stressing that it is illegal for DisCo or meter installation.
He said the government has received 500,000 additional meters, bringing the the total to nearly one million meters received in first phase of the programme. Over 150,000 meters have already been installed across the country.
The Minister added that the government plans to support about 3.4 million smart meters in the second place, and that meters will be distributed to consumers irrespective of their tariff band.
The aim is to reduce the metering gap, improve billing accuracy, ensure fairness in electricity charges, and increase revenue in power sector.
Adelabu said the government will monitor the installation process closely and has opened complaints channels for the public to report any official or installer demanding illegal payments.
He stated that NERC and state authorities will support enforcement efforts.
He concluded that once the programme is completed, every home, business and market in Nigeria will have a meter, making a major milestone in sector reform.
-9News Nigeria.
