By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Federal government said it will purchase and distribute two million prepaid meters to Nigerians before the end of the first quarter of year 2025, as part of measures at fighting the issues of estimated billings in the country.
The government which said it frowns at the practice of estimated billings by the Distribution Companies (Discos) added that the distribution of the 2million meters is part of the bigger plans that would see to the provision for 10 millions Pre-paid meters which would be distributed nationwide in the next five years.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu disclosed this in a sideline interview at the commissioning of the Mobile Power Substations in Oyo and Ogun states recently.
He said President Bola Tinubu is working towards ensuring an uninterrupted power supply across the country but needed the cooperation of the consumers.
Adelabu said “An Estimated Billing System is riping off on the consumers hence the reason the Federal government through the Ministry of Power is purchasing 10 millions Pre-paid meters to be distributed across the Country.
“Out of these figures, two million pre-paid meters will be distributed before the end of first quarter in 2025.
“While the Federal government is doing everything to make the Country habitable for the people, the customers should desist from their idea of By-passing Connection.
“Also, people should desist from vandalizing and stealing of Electricity cables. The government, aside spending fortunes to replace stolen equipment, it is also affecting the electricity power supply nationwide.”
On the rising cost of power supply, the Minister argued that it is not peculiar to Nigeria alone but assured the people that the government is doing everything to ease the burden through Renewable Energy.
“The Renewable Energy of the Federal government is aimed at easing the burden of the rising cost of energy.
“The rising cost of energy is taking toll not only on the households but our institutions of learning.
“The government has concluded plan to deploy Alternative Renewable Energy Grid and Solar Energy Grid to the Universities,Teaching Hospitals and Research Institutes nationwide”, he added.
