FG Bans DisCos, Installers from Charging Customers for Electricity Meters
The Federal Government has banned electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and their installers from collecting any form of payment from customers for electricity meters, warning that offenders will face prosecution.
ALSO READ: Nigeria’s AI Surge: Why Africa Must Claim Digital Sovereignty
The Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, issued the directive on Thursday during an on-site inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos. He stressed that the meters, procured under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), are to be installed for consumers completely free of charge.
According to the minister, any DisCo official or installer found demanding or collecting money from customers for the meters would be committing an offence and would be dealt with accordingly.
Adelabu, who was received at the Apapa Port Command of the Nigerian Customs Service by the Area Controller, Mr. Emmanuel Oshoba, expressed satisfaction over the arrival of another tranche of 500,000 smart meters under the DISREP initiative.
He said the Federal Government is committed to closing the metering gap in the power sector, expressing optimism that within a few years, households, businesses, and public institutions across the country would be fully metered.
“With full metering, billing and revenue collection in the power sector will become more transparent, fair, and just,” the minister said, adding that improved metering would also encourage electricity consumers to pay their bills promptly, thereby enhancing liquidity and sustainability in the sector.
Responding to concerns raised by journalists over the feasibility of free meter distribution, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, explained that the bureau coordinates the implementation of the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme on behalf of the Federal Government.
He noted that the BPE also serves on the boards of all 11 electricity distribution companies, providing oversight to ensure compliance with government policies and the effective delivery of the metering programme.
The Federal Government’s stance, officials said, is aimed at protecting electricity consumers from extortion while accelerating reforms to improve efficiency and accountability in Nigeria’s power sector.
FG Bans DisCos, Installers from Charging Customers for Electricity Meters