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Cooperate With Intended Meter Providers, Association Urges DISCOs

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The Electricity Meters Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (EMMAN) has appealed to the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to cooperate with the intended Meter Assets Providers (MAP) to bridge the wide metering gaps in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of EMMAN, Mr Muideen Ibrahim, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos recently, against the backdrop of metering challenges in the country.
“ I appeal to Discos to cooperate with the intended meter providers, because the only language electricity consumers understand currently is metering of their premises which Discos have not been doing.
“ Now that MAPs has come up, it is another scheme that can be explored so that consumers will be metered as and when due,” he said.
The source reports that the implementation of MAP regulation recently introduced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC), takes off on April 3, 2018.
MAP was introduced in a renewed bid toward ensuring that electricity customers only pay for what they actually consumed.
The regulation provides for the supply, installation and maintenance of end-user meters by other parties approved by the commission.
Ibrahim said that the appeal became necessary as some new meter providers would be given licences to commence massive installation of meters to electricity consumers to fast-track closure of metering gaps.
The EMMAN scribe said that the new regulation on metering would stand as a relief for electricity consumers which would enable them to get meters as quickly as possible.
He said that the new arrangement was aimed at eliminating the estimated billing practice; attracting private investment into the provision of metering services; and closing the metering gap through accelerated meter rollout in power sector.
According to him, the new metering regulation initiated by NERC was commendable, which I described as a step in the right direction.
Ibrahim also expressed the association’s profound gratitude to Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, for his concern and commitment toward addressing the metering gap in the sector.
“We need major financial institutions like Central Bank of Nigeria, World Bank, African Development Bank and others to come into that investment profile to guarantee long-term stability.
“The most important is that we must have sufficient head room in terms of asset base or credit worthiness of each of us that wants to apply as a MAP and be able to enjoy long-term credit line from such financial institutions.
“I know that this is possible. However, the good thing about this MAP policy is that, there are two ways to go about it.
“Consumers can as well pay for the prepaid meter willingly, and as well, they can opt not to pay, but spread the payment over a period of time.
“The fact that there is liberty for consumers to pay and install them with prepaid meter instantly will provide liberation for consumers from depending on estimated billing.
“This will be a great achievement for the government and the consumers,’’ Ibrahim added.
It would be recalled recalls that on March 28, Dr Usman Arabi, the Head, Public Affairs Department of NERC, said that the regulation was expected to fast-track the closure of the metering gap and encourage the development of independent and competitive meter services in the sector.
Arabi said that the MAP (Regulation No. NERC/R/112), which would become effective on April 3, 2018, introduces meter asset providers as a new set of service providers in Nigeria electricity supply industry.
According to him, as assets with a technically useful life of 10-15 years, the regulation provides for the third-party financing of meters, under a permit issued by the commission, and amortisation over a period of 10 years.
“The electricity distribution companies, in line with their licencing terms and conditions, are obliged to achieve their metering targets as set by the commission under the new regulation.
“The contracting of MAP shall be through an open, transparent and competitive bid process, thus ensuring that meters are provided at a least cost to electricity customers,’’ he said.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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