Business
AMMON Blocks Importation Of 1.5m Meters –Report
The Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria has secured a court injunction halting the procurement of 1.55 million smart meters.
This development is a direct threat to the implementation of the World Bank’s $500m Nigeria Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.
In its latest Implementation Status and Results Report obtained from its website olat the weekend, the World Bank disclosed that the legal action had become the programme’s biggest implementation risk and could force the cancellation of the procurement if the dispute is not resolved soon.
According to the report, the injunction has stalled the opening of bids under the second phase of the International Competitive Bidding process for the procurement of additional smart meters.
“The most significant implementation risk at present is the court injunction obtained by the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria on April 30, 2026, which has halted the opening of bids for the procurement of 1.55 million additional smart meters (ICB2),” the World Bank noted.
The bank explained that AMMON, representing local meter manufacturers and assemblers, argued that the international procurement framework excluded Nigerian manufacturers and undermined domestic industry development.
It noted that the Transmission Company of Nigeria Project Management Unit had extended the bid submission deadline three times since the injunction, with the latest deadline fixed for June 25, 2026.The report warned that failure to resolve the dispute promptly could have wider consequences for the programme.
It stated, “The team is engaging with government counterparts to find a resolution. If the matter cannot be resolved in the near term, cancellation of the ICB2 procurement may need to be considered to avoid market uncertainty, cost escalation, and further programmatic delay.”
The Nigeria Distribution Sector Recovery Programme, approved by the World Bank in February 2021, is designed to improve the financial and technical performance of electricity distribution companies through reforms, metering and network investments.
Despite the legal setback, the World Bank said implementation under the programme continued to improve, maintaining its “Moderately Satisfactory” ratings for both overall implementation progress and progress towards achieving its development objective.
The report noted that the programme had been upgraded from “Moderately Unsatisfactory” six months earlier, reflecting sustained improvements in implementation.
It added that deployment of smart meters under the first phase of the international procurement had accelerated significantly.
According to the report, as of June 15, 2026, about 1.23 million smart meters had been manufactured, 1.03 million had arrived in Nigeria, while 482,000 had been installed, up from 365,000 recorded during the programme’s mid-term review in April.
“Under the Investment Project Financing component, meter installation under ICB1 has continued to accelerate. As of June 15, 2026, 1.23 million smart meters have been manufactured, of which 1.03 million have reached Nigeria, of which 482,000 have been installed,” the report stated.
The bank added that the programme had so far provided direct electricity access to about 530,000 people under its contribution to the Mission 300 initiative, with the figure expected to rise as installations continue.
It also expressed optimism that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s January 2026 directives on DISREP implementation would further accelerate meter deployment by electricity distribution companies.
The report further revealed that contracts for another 217,000 meters to be procured locally through the National Competitive Bidding process had reached an advanced stage following comments from the Attorney General of the Federation.
It noted however, that the Bureau of Public Enterprises(BPE) had tied the signing of those contracts to the lifting of the AMMON court injunction.
“The NCB contracts for 217,000 domestically procured meters are in an advanced stage of finalisation following receipt of comments from the Attorney General of the Federation. However, BPE has linked NCB contract signature to the vacation of the AMMON court injunction,” it stated.
The World Bank also disclosed that contracts for the Meter Data Management System, delayed since mid-2025, were in the final drafting stage and expected to be executed before the end of June.
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The Chief Executive Officer of Kefa Communication, Mr. Obihele Victor Amos, has called for stronger collaboration between business organisations and media institutions to enhance business growth, economic expansion and wider public engagement across communities.
Amos made the call during a press briefing in Port Harcourt at the weekend.
He emphasised that strategic media partnership remains critical to improving visibility for businesses and attracting investment opportunities.
According to him, the media occupies a central position in shaping public perception and creating awareness that can support enterprise development and economic sustainability.
He also noted that, many emerging businesses continue to face growth limitations due to insufficient publicity and inadequate access to effective communication channels.
“Stronger engagement with the media would help bridge information gaps and create better connections between businesses and potential customers”, he said.
The CEO further stated that responsible and developmental journalism could play a significant role in promoting innovation and encouraging healthy competition within the business environment.
He stressed that beyond informing the public, the media serves as a platform for influencing policies and encouraging stakeholder participation in economic development.
Amos further disclosed the group is committed to building relationships with media organisations through continuous engagement and collaborative initiatives.
He said such partnerships would create opportunities for entrepreneurs and support efforts aimed at expanding market access.
The business leader also urged media practitioners to sustain professionalism and continue highlighting stories that promote enterprise and national development.
He expressed confidence that improved synergy between the media and the business community would contribute to employment generation and economic resilience.
Some participants at the briefing described the initiative as a welcome development capable of strengthening public understanding of business opportunities.
There were also calls for sustained cooperation among stakeholders to drive inclusive business growth and long-term development.
King Onunwor
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the federal government to immediately pay all pension, entitlements,outstanding benefits due to retired Nigerian seafarers
The Deputy President NLC and former President General Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju made the call in a statement issued to Newsmen during the celebration of 2026 Day of the Seafarer.
He noted that continued delay are worsening the plight of elderly maritime workers.
Adeyanju expressed concern that despite a verification exercise conducted nearly four years ago to facilitate payment of retirees’ benefits, many of the affected seafarers are yet to receive their entitlements.
According to him, the prolonged delay has had devastating consequences, with several beneficiaries reportedly dying while waiting for payment, while others have become seriously ill, incapacitated, or pushed deeper into poverty.
He urged government to act swiftly by clearing the backlog of pensions and outstanding benefits, stressing that retired seafarers who dedicated their lives to serving the nation and supporting global trade deserve to be treated with dignity.
“These are men and women who spent years at sea contributing to the economy and facilitating international commerce.
“It is only fair that they receive what is due to them without further delay,” he said.
Adeyanju’s appeal came as the global maritime community marked this year’s Day of the Seafarer under the theme, “Carrying World Trade. Carrying The Risks.”
Reflecting on the theme, he noted that 2026 has been particularly challenging for seafarers due to geopolitical tensions and security concerns affecting major shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.
He commended seafarers worldwide for their resilience and commitment in ensuring the uninterrupted movement of goods despite increasing dangers at sea.
“Seafarers remain the backbone of international trade. Their sacrifices and dedication continue to sustain economies around the world even in the face of significant risks,” he stated.
Beyond the issue of retirees’ welfare, Adeyanju also drew attention to broader concerns within the maritime sector.
He urged the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to restore the engagement of onboard gangway men on berthed vessels, arguing that their presence plays a critical role in preventing cargo theft, pilferage and other forms of economic sabotage at the ports.
Describing gangway men as the “eagle eyes” of port operations as he maintained that their reinstatement would strengthen security around ships and improve operational efficiency.
Deputy President NLC also raised concerns over the state of maritime training in the country, particularly at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
He lamented that many graduates of the institution continue to face challenges obtaining the certifications and sea-time experience required to secure employment in the global shipping industry.
Adeyanju called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to intensify efforts towards ensuring that graduates of the academy are properly trained, fully certificated and globally competitive.
While acknowledging ongoing reforms in the maritime sector, he commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for initiatives aimed at transforming Nigerian ports and improving industry performance.
“On this Day of the Seafarer, we celebrate the courage, sacrifice and commitment of seafarers who keep global trade moving as their welfare and future must remain a priority,” he said.
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