FG Releases N12.7bn For Prepaid Meters In Army Barracks Nationwide

The federal government has allocated N12.7 billion, according to Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, to install meters in army barracks around the nation.

The federal government has allocated N12.7 billion to install meters in army barracks around the nation, according to Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu.

In a Monday statement, Adelabu's special adviser on strategic communication and media relations, Bolaji Tunji, stated that the sum comes from the N40 billion set aside for the mass metering initiative.

The exercise will be conducted in phases, according to the minister, who made this announcement during the metering exercise flagoff at the Ikeja Military Cantonment, home of the 9th Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

The minister said, “Mass metering in army formations nationwide will enable us to know what is being consumed on a monthly basis in order to ensure appropriate billings and ease collections.

“The overall intention is to eliminate and make estimated billing a thing of the past.

“The current exercise is part of President Bola Tinubu's renewed hope agenda to ensure regular supply of electricity to army formations nationwide.

“This is one of Mr. President's objectives as contained in the renewed hope agenda to ensure that electricity supply to the armed forces is prioritised and they do not suffer, especially in the enjoyment of public utilities.”

According to him, the exercise's first phase, the Ikeja cantonment, will run for six weeks before the second phase starts.

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Mr Adelabu mentioned, electricity theft will be eliminated by the tamper-proof smart meters that are being deployed.

He stated that it would be challenging to get around the meters, which also include an app that allows users to receive monthly usage statements.

The minister went on to say that the meters enable connection between off-grid and grid solar power sources.

“Beyond metering, we have to prioritise electricity supply to the barracks,” the Minister said.

Ashade Olatunbosun, the CEO of De Haryor Global Services, stated that the project's second phase would start concurrently in Abuja and Enugu.

He said that the exercise would be advantageous to military forces within each of the eleven power distribution corporations (DisCos).

“Army formations in Jos, Abuja, Ibadan, Enugu, Kaduna, Ikeja and Eko DisCos will benefit from the exercise,” Olatunbosun said.

The commander of the 9th brigade of the Nigerian army, Adegoke Adetuyi, had earlier stated that the metering program of the federal government was appropriate because the brigade headquarters had been experiencing intermittent power supply over time.