The Federal government has decried the estimated billing system of power supply to households by the Distribution Companies (DisCos) nationwide, saying this has necessitated its plan to make provision for 10 million prepaid meters to be distributed nationwide in the next five years.
The first phase of the project will be the purchase and distribution of two million prepaid meters before the end of the first quarter of 2025.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this in a sideline interview at the commissioning of the Mobile Power Substations in Oyo and Ogun states respectively.
He added that President Bola Tinubu is working towards ensuring an uninterrupted power supply across the country but needs consumers’ cooperation.
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He said, “An Estimated Billing System is ripping off on the consumers hence the reason the Federal government through the Ministry of Power is purchasing 10 million prepaid meters to be distributed across the country.
“Out of these figures, two million prepaid meters will be distributed before the end of the first quarter in 2025.
“While the Federal government is doing everything to make the country habitable for the people, the customers should desist from their idea of by-passing connection.
“Also, people should desist from vandalizing and stealing electricity cables. The government, aside from spending fortunes to replace stolen equipment, is also affecting the electricity power supply nationwide.”
On the rising cost of power supply, the Minister argued that it is not peculiar to Nigeria alone but assured the people that the government is doing everything to ease the burden through Renewable Energy.
According to him, “The Renewable Energy of the Federal government is aimed at easing the burden of the rising cost of energy.
“The rising cost of energy is taking a toll not only on the households but our institutions of learning.
“The government has concluded a plan to deploy Alternative Renewable Energy Grid and Solar Energy Grid to the Universities, Teaching Hospitals and Research Institutes nationwide,” Adelabu added.
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