The director-general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, says the bureau is collaborating with critical stakeholders in the power sector to bridge the estimated 5.66 million-meter metering gap across the country.

Mr Gbeleyi spoke on Wednesday evening in Abuja during a strategic meeting‎ between the agency and electricity distribution companies on the implementation of free meter distribution and installation to electricity consumers.

According to Mr Gbeleyi, the agency is collaborating with the 11 DisCos to intensify free meter distribution and installation.

Mr Gbeleyi also ‎said that the collaborative meeting among critical stakeholders in the sector was for appraisal of the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme, which basically aims at bridging the metering gap of 5.66 million”.
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‎”Under phase one of the programme, being financed by a $500 million financial facility offered by the World Bank, 700,000 meters were supplied, out of which 200,000 have been installed,” said Mr Gbeleyi.
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‎He appealed to the DisCos to ensure strict implementation of the programme by metering all their customers in line with the federal government’s policy direction and vision.
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‎”DISREP is a World Bank-supported intervention designed to improve the performance and financial sustainability of Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies. Specifically, it focuses on closing the metering gap, currently estimated at more than 5.3 million by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission.

“It is to ensure that the objectives of the federal government’s power sector reform for improved operational efficiency and financial viability are achieved before the end of the year,” added Mr Gbeleyi.

‎In their separate remarks, the representatives of the DisCos assured Nigerians of their support for the intervention programme and their commitment to its success.
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‎They, however, expressed concern about meter installers who would allegedly extort customers, promising to expose anybody found wanting in that regard.

(NAN)