News
Discos install 504,729 meters, unmetered customers now 7.1million
Discos install 504,729 meters, unmetered customers now 7.1million
The number of power consumers without meters across the country is now 7,117,167, as a total of 504,729 meters were installed by electricity distribution companies between January and September 2023.
Data obtained from the latest third quarter report of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission indicated that as of September 30, 2023, there were 12,825,005 registered electricity customers in Nigeria’s power sector.
The NERC stated that out of this number, only 5,707,838 customers had been metered, which implies that over 7.1 million registered power users across the country lack meters.
A further analysis of the first, second and third quarter reports of the power sector regulator indicated that electricity distribution companies installed a total of 504,729 meters during the nine-month period.
They installed 175,281 meters in the first quarter, deployed 181,059 meters in the second quarter, while this dropped to 148,389 meters in the third quarter. Meter installations are ongoing in this current fourth quarter.
Providing an explanation on metering in its latest third quarter 2023 report, the commission said, “As at September 30, 2023, there were 12,825,005 registered electricity customers in the NESI (Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry) out of which only 5,707,838 (44.51 per cent) are metered.
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“Over the course of 2023/Q3, 148,389 end-user customers were metered. Ikeja, Abuja and Ibadan Discos had the highest number of meter installations in 2023/Q3, accounting for 27.35 per cent, 20.78 per cent and 17.53 per cent respectively of the total installations.”
It stated that the 148,389 meters installed in 2023/Q3 represented a decrease of 32,670 installations (-18.04 per cent), when compared to the 181,059 meters installed in 2023/Q2.
“The new installations resulted in a 0.35pp increase in net end-user metering rate in the NESI between 2023/Q2 (44.16 per cent) and 2023/Q3 (44.51 per cent),” the commission stated.
It noted that during the quarter, 147,736 meters were installed under the Meter Asset Provider framework, while 207 meters were installed under the National Mass Metering Programme framework.
The Vendor Financed framework recorded 446 meter installations while no meter installations were recorded under the Disco Financed framework,” the power sector regulator stated.
Operators in the sector have repeatedly blamed the liquidity crisis in the sector for the low deployment of meters and other challenges in the industry.
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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had during the recent power sector ministerial retreat in Abuja, admitted that financing was a major challenge in the business of electricity supply in Nigeria.
He disclosed this while speaking on finance, revenue assurance and capital investment programmes across the electricity value chain in Nigeria.
“The heart of NESI’s proposed reforms hinges upon securing long-term financing across the entire value chain.
“While past discussions highlighted concerns about the financial capacities of private sector players from the 2013 privatisation, our focus must centre on collaborative solutions to alleviate present liquidity challenges.
“Initiating this quest for robust investment involves attracting domestic institutional investors and reputable partners from well-governed sectors within the electricity value chain.
“At this retreat, we’ve invited established infrastructure financiers and fintech innovators to infuse fresh thinking into our industry, aiming to develop innovative policies enabling capital investment programmes and fiscal incentives that elevate the risk profile of sector opportunities to financeable levels,” the minister stated.
Discos install 504,729 meters, unmetered customers now 7.1million
News
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
President Bola Tinubu will travel to France today (Wednesday) for a three-day state visit at the instance of the French president.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this.
It said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”
Onanuga said Tinubu and Macron would harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication,” he added.
“They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.”
The presidential adviser stated that the Nigerian first lady and her French counterpart would discuss solutions for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope initiative.
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
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