The Federal government has released N12.7 billion out of a total of N40 billion budgeted for mass metering project in military formations nationwide, with a promise to end estimated billings in the power sector.
Already, the metering exercise was flagged off at the headquarters of the 9th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja military cantonment, Lagos at the weekend.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu who said this also disclosed that the exercise will be in phases with the Ikeja cantonment being the first phase of the exercise.
Adelabu explained that for the current exercise, the sum of N12.7 billion has been released out of a total of N40billion for the mass metering project.
“The mass metering in army formations nationwide will enable us know what is being consumed on a monthly basis in order to ensure appropriate billings and ease collections.
“The overall intention is to eliminate and make estimated billing a thing of the past”.
A statement by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister in Abuja said the minister said during the flag off that the current exercise will last for six weeks before the second phase will begin.
“This is one of Mr. President’s objectives as contained in the renewed hope agenda to ensure that electricity supply to the armed forces is prioritised and they do not suffer especially in the enjoyment of public utilities”, he said.
Adelabu said the smart meters being installed are tamper-proof and would eliminate energy theft.
“You can not by- pass the meter which also comes with an app where customers can also get statement of their consumption on a monthly basis”.
The statement also disclosed that the Chief Executive Officer of De Haryor Global Services, Engineer Ashade Olatunbosun who is in charge of the metering project revealed that the second phase of the project will begin in Abuja and Enugu, simultaneously adding that military formations across the 11 DISCOs will benefit from the exercise.
“Army formations in Jos, Abuja, Ibadan, Enugu, Kaduna, Ikeja and Eko distribution companies will benefit from the exercise”, he added.
The Commander at the brigade headquarters, Maj. Gen. A.M Adetuyi said the federal government metering initiative is timely as the brigade headquarters has been having epileptic power supply over time.
“When I investigated, I found out that we were only being given three hours of electricity daily and on some days, we do not even get supplied. We have tried to resolve this and we have even involved the state government without any result”, he explained.
