The National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) will on Friday, October 30, 2020 commence distribution of free electricity meters to Nigerians with simultaneous launch events of the scheme in Kano, Kaduna, Eko and Ikeja DISCO franchise areas.
The programme was initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure mass metering with the hope of putting an end to the problem of estimated billing in the electricity sector.
Informed sources at the presidency told The Nation the locations to receive meters include Bawo Road and environs in Kano metropolis (KEDCO), Governor Road/Tudun Wada in Kaduna (Kaduna Electric), Oshodi Business Unit in Ikeja (Ikeja Electric), and Yaba and Surulere (Eko DISCO).
A presidential source added key stakeholders to monitor the launch of the distribution include Kaduna, Kano and Lagos government representatives, the Senate Committee and House Chair on Power as well as representatives of Organised Labour and Civil Society Organisations.
He said the NMMP is to roll out 6 million meters for all connections points on grid without meters over the next 18 to 24 months, estimating to impact 30 million consumers nationwide.
“Following Mr President’s directive on mass metering, the Central Bank of Nigeria, on October 18th, approved guidelines for funding the mass metering programme, which entailed that all meters under the scheme would be locally sourced, creating thousands of manufacturing jobs through lead manufacturers such as MOMAS, MOJEC and others,” the source said.
He further said the launch of the NMMP would be part of a continuous effort where all DisCos would go from location to location across the country with their respective Meter Asset Providers to install meters for all Nigerians.
When contacted, Mr. Laolu Akande, a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, confirmed the development but added that more details would emerge as the distribution progresses across the country.
He added current efforts by the Federal Government on improving power supply and mass metering were in line with some of the agreements recently reached between the FG and Organised Labour recently.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had committed that Nigerians would be metered prior to the end of his administration and that estimated billing would be ended.

By Bolaji Ogundele