The Managing Director, Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Peter Ewesor says the Government plans to roll out Six million prepaid electricity metres across the nation.
He made the announcement during the monthly Lunch Time Reform Seminar organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
According to him, the rolling out of the metres will be in 4 phases.
“But that’s not to say 6 million is the end of it because the connection will not stop,“ Ewesor noted.
He advised Nigerians on the need for them to know their rights when it comes to metering noting that electricity metres are to used to measure the power that has been delivered and consumed.
“Every meter brought into your premises without NEMSA seal and label has not been tested by NEMSA and that means it is not supposed to be installed and used,“ he warned
The Managing Director emphasised that Nigerians have a right to reject such metres installed for them
“Because if they installed a metre that’s not being tested, you can be paying for what you are not being given which makes it worst than estimated billing.“
The NEMSA Boss, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to report electrical accidents or any form of electrical threat to the distribution companies for prompt intervention.
The Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr Ibrahim Arabi said the topic for discussion “Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA): Roles, Responsibilities, innovation and Challenges in the Power Sector” is very timely and relevant in view of the crucial role of power in the growth and development of nations.
“You will agree with me that erratic and unstable electricity supply in Nigeria over the years has adversely affected the growth of industrial, commercial and other productive sectors of the economy. The privatization exercise was one of the reform initiatives of the Federal Government to rectify some major challenges confronting the power sector which included inter alia, non-payment of electricity bills by government agencies, private enterprises and many individual households, limited capital for the needed investment in the sector, non-deployment of electricity meters, high rise of estimated bills, vandalisation of power sector facilities, gas pipelines and a weak transmission system,“ Dr Arabi explained
He noted that a number of reforms were initiated to address these challenges which started with the deregulation of the Power Sector that began with the privatization of the National Electric Power Authority responsible for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Nigeria.
He further said that the Bureau was proud to be associated with NEMSA and would align the organisation’s vision to the National Strategy for Public Service Reform.
“Whose vision is to have a world-class public service delivering government policies effectively and implementing programmes with professionalism, integrity, excellence, and passion to secure sustainable national development.
“It is expected that this forum would provide the needed platform to convey Government Policies and Programmes that require the buy-in of critical stakeholders,“ he added.
PIAK
