The Federal Government says it has given a grant of N37 billion to a private sector operator to supply meters to interested power Distribution Companies (DisCos).
Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing,who disclosed this at the monthly meeting of stakeholders in the power sector in Kaduna, said the move was in line with the new Meter Asset Provider (MAP) regulations.
His words : “As power supply continues to increase in Generation, Transmission and Distribution, the demand for meters will increase because more power supply and consumption will likely result in increased bills.
“Estimated billings in these circumstances will become a major cause of distrust and conflict between consumers and DisCos, and meters are the easiest way to build the bridge of trust.
“On the Executive side of government, we are responding by taking advantage of the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) regulations to deploy a fund of N37 billion toward supplying meters through private sector.
“I urge all DisCos who have not taken advantage of this opportunity to quickly do so, or make their own funding arrangements to contract their own meter providers to supply and install meters.
“I know that Yola DisCo is talking to the meter asset provider for 400, 000 meters. I know that Abuja DisCo is also indicating interest for 250,000 meters.
“I know that other meter asset providers are also talking to various banks and funding organisations to see how they can get into this business and get licensed by NERC.”
The minister, who, however did not disclose the private operator that will supply the meters to the DisCos, said there was a clear intention of the legislative arm of government toward addressing the issue of meter in the sector.
The minister said it was important for all DisCos to respond by providing meters and quickly end estimated billing, which was subjective and discretionary.
Fashola had before the stakeholders meeting commissioned a 60MVA transformer at the Zaria 132 KV substation to increase the transformer capacity from 140 MVA to 200 MVA said the transformer would improve service to customers of Kaduna DisCo.
On his part, the Managing Director of Kaduna DisCo, Mr Garuba Haruna, said the DisCo was recording a minimum of 10 hours to 15 hours supply to consumers in Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto states.
