The National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) have kick-started distribution of free electricity metres to Nigerians today, starting off in Kano; Bawo Road and environs in Kano metropolis (KEDCO), Kaduna; Governor Road/Tudun Wada in Kaduna (Kaduna Electric), Eko; Yaba and Surulere (Eko Disco) and Ikeja; Oshodi Business Unit (Ikeja Electric).
An informed source at the Presidency disclosed this yesterday. He stated that the free metre distribution is in fulfillment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to ensure that the country runs on electricity metering, so as to put an end to the issue of electricity overbilling in the country.
However, key stakeholders appointed to monitor the implementation of the distribution include; Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos state government representatives, the chairmen of Senate and House committees on Power, and representatives of the organised labour and Civil Society Organisations.
According to his statement, which reads in part, ‘The NMMP is to roll out six million meters for all connections points on grid without meters over the next 18 to 24 months, estimated to impact 30 million consumers nationwide.’
He also added that, ‘Following Mr President’s directive on mass metering, the Central Bank of Nigeria, on October 18, approved guidelines for funding the mass metering programme which entailed that all meters under the scheme will be locally sourced, creating thousands of manufacturing jobs through lead manufacturers such as MOMAS, MOJEC and others.’
He clarified that the launch of the NMMP will not stop at the three locations aforementioned, but will be a continuous effort as DISCO officials would visit all locations in the country to have meters installed for all Nigerians.
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On this new and latest development, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, has confirmed the authenticity of this move made by the government.
Mr. Akande in his statement said, ‘Current efforts by the Federal Government on improving power supply and mass metering is in line with some of the agreements recently reached between the Federal Government and the organised labour.’
Recalling the President’s address on the issue, he said that, ‘President Muhammadu Buhari had committed that Nigerians would be metered before the end of his administration and that estimated billing would be ended.’
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