Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has assured of the federal government’s commitment to end estimated billing in the nation’s power sector by the end of 2024.
Adelabu gave the assurance during a visit to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), in continuation of a working tour of power facilities in Nigeria.
According to him, the objective of the meeting was to foster increased collaboration with stakeholders, aiming to explore avenues for advancing the power sector.
While noting the substantial metering gap in Nigeria, he decried that around 50 per cent of customers within the coverage area still lacked proper metering.
“Citizens are tired of estimated billing because estimated billing always leads to cheating between consumers, staff and company.
“Before the end of this year, we are looking at the possibility of ending estimated billing because we want transparency and objectivity in our billing system,” Adelabu stated.
Continuing, he noted that President Bola Tinubu has established a Presidential metering initiative to harmonise all metering acquisitions in the country.
“We have up to eight million meters gap in Nigeria and what the initiative seeks to achieve is to close this gap within three to five years.
“This means that an average of two million meters is required on a yearly basis and achieving the target is compulsory for citizens to enjoy stable power supply.”
He decried a situation where communities pool funds to procure transformers, cables, and other electrical equipment, saying the practice needs to end.
On the issue of tariff increase, Adelabu assured that any electricity tariff review would be conducted in a manner that does not further burden citizens, adding that there will be thorough sensitisation and public enlightenment before implementing any tariff adjustments.
He further stated that such review process would be gradual, aiming to have minimal to no impact on low-income earners and individuals in areas with limited power supply duration.