The Federal Government has raised the price of both single-phase and three-phase electricity meters beginning from November 15, 2021.
It announced this in a circular dated November 11, 2021, issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
The circular was addressed to managing directors, all electricity distribution companies and all meter asset providers.
The circular, with reference number NERC/REG/MAP/GEN/751/2, was entitled ‘Review of the unit price of end-use meters under the Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations.’
Recall, the metering scheme was introduced by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, following the high level of complaints received from customers dissatisfied with the estimated billing practices.
Shortly after the launch of the metering scheme, the FG launched the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), to increase the country’s metering rate and eliminate arbitrary estimated billing.
The Central Bank of Nigeria had in October 2020, issued the Framework for Financing of National Mass Metering Programme, under which the bank is expected to provide financing support to the Distribution Companies (DisCos) for the procurement of meters for customers.
The government had launched the first phase in October 2020, with distribution of six million free pre-paid electricity metres to Nigerians through the National Mass Metering Programme.
The scheme was launched in Eko, Kano, Kaduna and Ikeja Distribution Companies (DisCos) franchise areas
The Minister of power, Mamman Sale had in May said that the second phase would cover four million households.
The Minister explained that the first phase of free meter distribution is still ongoing.
But in the document issued by NERC, the regulator raised the price of a single-phase meter from the current cost of N44,896.17 to a revised price of N58,661.69.
It also increased the price of a three-phase meter from the current cost of N82,855.19 to a revised rate of N109,684.36.
