N20bn Boost: FG Supports Metering of Unmetered Band A Customers

FG to provide N20 billion for metering unmetered Band A consumers, says Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, as part of efforts to improve energy distribution in Nigeria.

The federal government will provide N20 billion to DisCos to meter unmetered Band A consumers, announced Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu at the Business Day Energy Conference.

The minister said: “Before I left the office yesterday, the chairman of NERC was in my office, Alhaji Garba Sanusi, and we have agreed that we have an accrued N20 billion for metering.

“And I said let's release the N20 billion for the DisCos to procure metres for the unmetered band A customers. Before the end of September, that is going to happen.”

The government has secured a $500 million World Bank loan to enhance energy distribution and plans to purchase 3.5 million electrical meters in 2024.

The World Bank's DISREP program has enabled the government to inject 1.5 million meters into the power industry, establishing a framework for improved energy distribution and metering.

“This year two million meters are going to be procured plus the 1.5 million meters from World Bank. We are going to have 3.5 million meters installed by the year-end,” Adelabu said.

The initiatives aim to address the challenges of energy distribution and metering in Nigeria, ensuring a more efficient and effective power sector.

He declared that the government will guarantee a two million meter yearly injection “which will be procured for the next five years - that is 10 million meters.”

The initiative's funding is being finalized, according to Adelabu.