The Federal Government has warned Power Distribution Companies against selling metres to customers
Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu gave the warning on Thursday’s weekly Ministerial briefing at the State House in Abuja.
The Minister who said that the metres are free and not for purchase by electricity customers blamed touts in the power as being responsible for the sale of metres.
‘ It’s the responsibility of the DISCOS and the government seeing that they are not doing so
” So the government is stepping in and giving the DISCOS the metres to distribute for free.
Mr Aliyu disclosed that metres are rolled out on phases saying” Currently, close to one million metres have been rolled under the first phase and accelerated procurement is ongoing for the second phase of four million metres with critical focus on local manufacturers This is aimed at providing jobs through the programme.
According to him, the first phase generated 10,000 jobs in installation and assembly adding that the the contract for the second phase wouldl be awarded by the end of the second quarter of the year while the third phase being anticipated wouldl provide additional two million metres through the World Bank.
On the erratic power supply in the Federal Capital Territory and some parts of the country, the Minister attributed it to reduction in hydro capacity due to the dry season.
He explained that overload on the nation’s power plants, maintenance work in the Eastern region of the country and challenges in the Okoloma Gas Station have inhibited the units from reaching optimal supply adding that the government under the Siemens Presidential Power initiatives is working to ensure an optimal supply of gas to facilitate the speedy restoration of power soon.
