The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has pledged to tackle the huge metering gap and gas shortage militating against stable power supply in the country.
The minister made the pledge during an over-sight visit to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) headquarters in Abuja, last  Thursday
He said some stakeholders in the electricity sector had raised concerns on the issues of inadequate pre-paid meters for electricity consumers and gas shortage to the power plants.
He said that the nation’s power sector was still suffering from a huge metering deficit which was seriously affecting the operations of the electricity distribution companies.
He said that the nation’s power sector still had a metering gap of about 2.7 million and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to reverse the trend.
“Now, we have an estimated shortfall in meters or metering gap of 2.7 million; the whole issue of metering is suffocating and there is no doubt about that, so we must find a solution to it’’, he said.
On gas, Nebo said the ministry was working closely with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to ensure availability of gas for power generating plants.
He said that the Federal Government was exploring the possibility of getting gas from the export quota to compliment local need.
“ I have firm commitment from my colleague, Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison Madueke, that gas would be available.
“We must ensure synergy in all our operations, all in the three electricity value chain must be happy, including our esteemed customers.
“She has even assured on gas for power that if need be, she will order that gas meant for export is diverted to power,’’ he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Egbin Power Plc, Mr Mike Uzoigwe, who spoke on behalf of the electricity Generating Companies at the meeting, said GENCOs and DISCOs were losing a lot of revenue as a result of gas shortage and inadequate metering.
He said the management of the company had invested about N7 billion in strengthening the plant for optimal performance but had lost about N570 million in revenue since the privitisation in November, 2013.
He said that the GENCOS and DISCOs could not continue to run their businesses at a loss.
“ Our experience after privatisation is undesirable. This is because as at end of last month, our books showed that we are losing revenue to the tune of about N570 million.
“ The revenue profile in the electricity industry is very poor. And if any further investor should look in, it will give results that may not be desirable for the country.
“Two factors are impinging on our moving forward; one is the fact that consumers are not metered and the second is the issue of gas; we can never over-emphasize the problem the lack of gas is causing in the industry,’’ he said.
Uzoigwe said that Egbin power plant which had capacity of 1.80MW was currently generating about 600 megawatts as a result of gas challenge and is adversely affecting its revenue.
NERC Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, in his remarks, said that the commission would continue to work with all stakeholders in the sector to solve some of the post-privatisation challenges in the sector.