Federal Government Imposes Nationwide Ban on Meter Installation Charges
The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a sweeping nationwide prohibition against electricity distribution companies and their meter installers from collecting any form of payment from consumers for the installation of electricity meters. This decisive move comes with a stern warning that offenders will face legal prosecution under the law.
Minister's Directive During Lagos Inspection
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, delivered this directive during an official inspection of a newly arrived consignment of imported smart meters at APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos. The inspection took place on Thursday, January 22, marking a significant step in the government's efforts to reform the power sector.
These advanced smart meters were procured under the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme, commonly known as DISREP. This ambitious initiative is specifically designed to address Nigeria's persistent metering gap while simultaneously enhancing transparency in electricity billing across the nation.
Zero-Cost Installation Mandate
Minister Adelabu emphasized with absolute clarity that all meters supplied under the DISREP programme must be installed completely free of charge. This policy applies universally, regardless of customer category or geographical location within Nigeria.
"It constitutes a serious offence for any DisCo official or authorized installer to request even a single dime from consumers prior to installation," the Minister declared unequivocally. "These meters must be distributed and installed entirely free of charge, without exception."
Scale of Meter Deployment
The Minister revealed that approximately 500,000 new smart meters have recently arrived in the country, supplementing previous deliveries under the ongoing initiative. This substantial shipment represents a critical component of the government's comprehensive metering strategy.
The DISREP programme has established an ambitious target of procuring 3.4 million meters through two distinct phases. From the initial batch of 1.43 million meters, nearly one million units have already been delivered to Nigeria. Remarkably, about 150,000 of these meters have been successfully installed across various regions of the country.
This nationwide ban on installation charges represents a fundamental shift in electricity meter distribution policy, aiming to remove financial barriers that have historically prevented many Nigerians from obtaining accurate meters. The government's firm stance underscores its commitment to improving electricity access and billing transparency for all citizens.
