Meter
Olamilekan Abayomi
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially banned electricity distribution companies (DisCos) from charging consumers for meter installation. This decision, announced by Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, aims to improve transparency in billing and enhance revenue collection in the power sector.
The ban applies to all electricity customers, regardless of their tariff band or location. DisCos and meter installers are prohibited from requesting payment for meter installation, and any attempts to do so will be considered an offence.
The government has imported smart meters under the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) to address Nigeria’s metering gap. Approximately 1 million meters have been received, with 150,000 already installed nationwide.
To enforce the ban, the government will establish a customer complaint desk and track installations using dashboards and tracking systems. Consumers can report any requests for illegal payments to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) or state regulatory authorities .
The ban is expected to benefit over 5 million customers currently on estimated billing, ensuring they pay only for the energy they consume. Accurate metering will also improve revenue collection for DisCos, enhancing the power sector’s financial sustainability.
The Federal Government has warned that DisCos and installers found extorting consumers will face prosecution and public sanctions. The government is committed to addressing the metering gap and improving the power sector’s performance .
The DISREP initiative aims to procure 3.4 million meters in two phases, with the goal of achieving 100% metering in urban residential clusters by 2026. This will help stabilize the national grid and reduce power outages.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) will oversee the implementation of the ban and ensure compliance. Consumers can also report any issues or concerns to NERC or their local DisCo.
The ban on meter installation charges is part of the government’s broader efforts to reform the power sector and improve electricity supply. Other initiatives include the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) and the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF).
