By Maina Gupta
The Federal Government has banned electricity distribution companies and their installers from collecting any form of payment for electricity meter installation, warning that offenders will be sanctioned and prosecuted.
The Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, issued the warning during an inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos.
Mr. Adelabu said the meters were procured under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme and must be installed for consumers completely free of charge.
He stressed that it is illegal for officials of electricity distribution companies or their contractors to demand money from customers before or during meter installation.
According to the minister, about five hundred thousand smart meters have just been received, bringing the total number of meters imported so far under the programme to nearly one million.
He added that about one hundred and fifty thousand meters have already been installed nationwide.
Mr. Adelabu said the programme aims to close Nigeria’s electricity meter gap, improve transparency in billing, and enhance revenue collection in the power sector.
He stressed that the government will monitor the installation process closely, open customer complaint channels, and prosecute confirmed cases of extortion to deter others.
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission will soon issue new guidelines to ensure electricity distribution companies allow unhindered meter installations.
Nigeria currently has over five million electricity customers under estimated billing.
