By Olusegun Obisanya
The Minister of Power, Chief Adelabu Adebayo has hinted the readiness of the Federal Government to support local industries to find a sustainable solution to metering gap in the country.
He disclosed this while responding to questions when he paid a courtesy visit to CWG Plc, to increase collaborative efforts towards smart metering in Nigeria.
CWG Plc is a leading pioneer in smart metering technology in Nigeria.
The Minister said, “Regarding the question you have asked about how government can support local industry to reduce the metering gap in Nigeria. My visit here is the first evidence that government is ready to support local industries.
“We all know that we have a huge metering gap and government is determined to reduce this over time. I mentioned a couple of metering initiatives that we have all witnessed. The Meter Acquisition Fund, the Meter Acquisition Program, Mass Acquisition Program.
“And lately, the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI). So we have a huge metering gap to fill. And the mandate of the PMI is to ensure that in the next five years, an annual acquisition of 2 million meters minimum must be carried out.”
He said out of the figure, local meter manufacturing companies “must play a major role so that we don’t have to import everything.”
Adebayo also hinted that local industries are germaine to the sustainability of the industry.
He maintained, “And beyond this, for sustainability of industry, provision of meters for future use and maintenance of already installed meters, we need the local industry. And government has vowed to support the industry for a number of reasons.
“The number one reason is to reduce the pressure on the foreign exchange requirements for importation. The second is for job creation. When you add value here locally, you will employ our people and a lot of households will be provided for.
“For reasons of technology transfer, our people must be trained to be able to support the local industry. And lastly, the reason of human capacity development.
Those are the reasons.”
He assured that the Federal Government will patronise local industries as a mark of support.
He added, “The number one support that you require is patronage. That’s the number one support. When you believe that when you manufacture this locally, there is a market where you sell it into. It’s an incentive for you to continue to produce.
“In terms of availability of foreign exchange to import parts. Our raw material is required for local assembly. Government will need to prioritize for the electricity supply industry. So the little efforts you require will be made available. For those that need parts, credits, concessional credits will also be made available.”
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), according to a 202, Q4 report, reveals that the electricity customer population stands at 13.1 million, with only about 5.86 million Nigerians are metered. This leaves a metering gap of 7.03 million unmetered customers.
Appreciating the Minister’s visit and facility tour, the Chief Operating Officer, CWG Plc, Afolabi Sobande, said, “CWG Plc has established itself as a trailblazer in the smart metering industry, dedicated to addressing the substantial metering gap in Nigeria.
“The company’s cutting-edge technology not only enhances the accuracy of electricity billing but also promotes efficient energy consumption among consumers. CWG’s locally assembled meters contribute to reducing the high charges associated with estimated billing, thereby fostering a more transparent and reliable power sector.”
