News

Electricity Meter Price Increase: Stakeholders Call For Mass Metering Policy

Published

2 years ago

September 11, 2023

Some stakeholders in the power sector have urged the Federal Government to reactivate the National Mass Metering Programme Policy (NMMPP) to alleviate the difficulties faced by electricity customers.
They said this would assist customers who might not have the financial means to purchase meters.
The stakeholders told newsmen yesterday in Lagos that the government’s failure to fully implement the NMMPP had hindered meter accessibility.
Our correspondent reports that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), on September 5, granted approval for an upward adjustment in the prices of prepaid electricity meters.
The cost of single-phase prepaid meter is now N81,975.16k, up from the previous N58,661.69k, while a three-phase prepaid meter is N143,836.10k as against the previous N109,684.36k.
Dr Ayodele Oni, Partner Bloomfield Law, said that the increase in the price of the meter could be attributed to the new macro economic changes in Nigeria, particularly the foreign exchange rates.
Oni said that government could intensify more efforts on the implementation of the phase one of the NMMP.
According to him, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) regulates the prices of the single-phase and three-phase meters.
“Presently, there are four different frameworks for the supply of meters.
“Two of the key frameworks are: the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) and the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).
“Previously, the meters were provided by the Meter Asset Providers (MAP) under the old MAP regulation of 2018.
“However, low success was recorded as a key factor responsible for low metering in Nigeria is the price of meters.
“Many Nigerian homes cannot readily afford the prices of the meters.
“This was one of the factors that strengthened the introduction of the NMMP, where FGN (with CBN) aimed to provide over six million meters,” he said.
Oni said that the NMPP was supposed to ease the diffculties of purchasing a meter on average Nigerians.
“Essentially, under the NMMP, the meters would be installed by DisCos at the premises of the customer without payment other than the end user tariff,” he explained.
The expert said that government should focus on the NMMP, to serve an incentive to ease the effect of the new economic realities on Nigerians.
He said that the increase in the prices of meters might be inevitable, but Nigerians could still afford the new prices and would purchase under other frameworks.
“However, the phase one of the NMMP should be reignited to ensure more Nigerians have access to meters.
Emeka Ojoko, Executive Coordinator, NEPA WAHALA NG, said that the increment was not entirely unexpected, considering that most meters used in Nigeria are imported despite the existence of local manufacturing capacity.
Ojoko said that the exchange rate float by the Tinubu administration was bound to affect meter prices.
“Nigerians should brace up. Things will get worse before they get better.
“Those who can afford it should invest in alternative energy sources like solar, etc.
“Government should take steps to cushion the effects on Nigerians by fiscal incentives for importations or manufacturing that will reduce the cost of alternative energy generation devices.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.