FG Free Meter Promise Gets Pushback
The disagreement centres on Nigeria’s power sector, where electricity distribution companies have pushed back against a federal directive that prepaid meters must be supplied to all customers at no cost.
The concern involves the Federal Government and power operators after the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, announced that no customer should pay for meters under a new rollout linked to the World Bank–backed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.
The directive was issued during an inspection of smart meters at Apapa port in Lagos, alongside a warning that any form of payment demand would attract prosecution.
The dispute stems from how the plan will be funded. Distribution companies say the meters described as free will still be paid for by them over a ten-year period, raising worries about who covers installation costs.
Tension also surrounds the role of installers and past policy decisions. Operators recalled that DisCos were removed from metering responsibilities years ago, leaving uncertainty over who pays installers under the new order.
One operator said customers are already confronting DisCos over the announcement, adding that policy decisions must balance public interest with financial reality to avoid new debts across the sector
