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.
READ ALSO:
- PDP unhappy with Fubara over plan to implement peace pact initiated by Tinubu
- Probe into $500m Union Bank acquisition widens as Special Investigator invites ex-CBN dep gov, others
- 145 killed as bandits attack 23 villages in Plateau
“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.
READ ALSO:
- Tinubu ill-advised on Niger Republic sanctions – Ndume
- Auto crash claims 9 on Christmas Day in Osun
- Army to take delivery of helicopters, others in 2024 – COAS
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 not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.
Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.
Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.
“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.
READ ALSO:
- Odili: Fubara prevented Wike from turning Rivers to private estate
- Putin apologises over Azerbaijan plane crash reportedly shot down
- 256 terrorists, two logistics suppliers arrested in one week – DHQ
He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.
Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.
He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
News
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.
The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.
Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.
READ ALSO:
- Dangote, Tinubu, Lookman, Badenoch named among 100 most influential Africans in 2024
- Heavy security in Ilesa as ex-Osun deputy gov emerges new Owa-Obokun
- Hacker has stolen N180m from my NGO account – VeryDarkMan cries out
The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.
Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:
Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.
Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).
In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
News
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.
“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.
The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.
READ ALSO:
- Kolawole Erinle: Appeal court affirms sentence for ex-convict over $1.4m fraud
- We’ve forced Lakurawa terrorists back to Mali, says FG
- Petrol: MRS enforces N935 per litre nationwide
“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.
Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.
There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
-
Auto2 days agoLSM MD extols founder’s qualities after latter posthumous industry award
-
Business3 days agoBe creative, monarch, others challenge Muslim professionals on economic revival
-
Entertainment2 days agoMultiChoice announces free access to all DSTV channels for 3 days
-
metro3 days agoJigawa State governor loses son 24 hours after mother’s death
-
News2 days agoNigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
-
metro2 days agoHeavy security in Ilesa as ex-Osun deputy gov emerges new Owa-Obokun
-
metro2 days agoLagos Imam to Tinubu: You haven’t disappointed us
-
metro2 days agoDangote, Tinubu, Lookman named among 100 most influential Africans in 2024 (Full list)