The Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC)   says it has approved  N28 billion for the procurement of meters for all outstanding unmetered Band A customers at no cost.

This announcement was contained in the Order on the Operationalisation of “Tranche B” of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) issued by  NERC and signed by its Vice Chairman Musiliu  Oseni and Commissioner Legal, Licensing and  Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye,

According to the order, the funds approved under Tranche B of MAF scheme apart from intended to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers would also focus on expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B

” The N28 billion  shall be allocated in proportion to the respective contributions of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), and are intended to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers.

” While also expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B.

“Schedule 1 provides the detailed breakdown of the funds available to each DisCo for the purchase of end-use customer meters. All the meters to be procured and installed under the MAF framework shall be provided at no cost to the customers,”he said.

The commission said that the order seeks to establish a clear and transparent framework for the implementation of Tranche B of the MAF scheme.

It also said that the order seeks to define the eligibility requirements and obligations of DisCos and  Meter Assert Provider (MAP) in accessing and utilising funds under Tranche

“It prescribes the terms of financing, repayment, and utilisation of funds under the scheme.

“It also sets out the monitoring, reporting and evaluation requirements to ensure accountability, efficiency and transparency in the deployment of MAF funded meters.

”Provide operational guidelines and conditions applicable to participating entities to safeguard the integrity of the MAF scheme, ”it said.

Giving breakdown of the releases of funds accrued under MAF, NERC explained that in April 2024, out of the accrued sum of N21,864,851,725, it released the  N21 billion to the DisCos for the procurement of meters under tranche A of the MAF scheme.

It added, ‘The latest  being  the N28 billion released under tranch B of the MAF   scheme.”

According to the order, NESI is expected to mobilise significant capital investments for metering through the revenue streams created under the MAF framework.

”There is an urgent and compelling need to accelerate the closure of the metering gap for all customers currently classified under Tariff Band A to safeguard revenue protection and enable effective demand-side management, ”it said.

National Office of The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has rated the implementation of the project high in Rivers State.

National Coordinator, Alhaji Aminu Muhammed, said this at the RAAMP sector reform workshop in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Aminu Muhammed who was represented by RAAMP National procurement specialist, Engr Irabor Emmanuel, said Rivers State had fulfilled all conditions except one, stressing that the only condition remaining was the drafting of a bill for the implementation of the program.

According to him, Rivers State has a standard office for housing RAAMP, also adequate staffing to ensure effective implementation of the project, adding that what is left is the drafting of two important bills.

He stressed the need for sustainable plan that would be backed up with financing, and urged stakeholders to come up with decisions that would ensure the effective implementation of the project in the state.

Speaking, a World Bank consultant, Graham Smith, said the RAAMP  will embark on the repair of several roads, especially the trunk B and trunk C roads for the easy evacuation of agricultural produce.

He said 419 km of such roads had been identified and earmarked for repairs, adding that the cost  will run into billions of naira.

In his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme formally took off in Rivers State on the 31st of July, 2024, following the expression of interest by the State Governor and acceptance by the National RAAMP Office.

He said since then, his team had been working tirelessly to meet all the conditions required to access support from development partners which include The World Bank, the French Development Agency and The Islamic Bank.

“RAAMP is more than a project, it’s about connecting lives, empowering communities and driving inclusive growth across Rivers State”.

He said the project will open up “our rural roads, link farmers to market, boost agricultural productivity, reduce post harvest losses and strengthen local economies.

“It will also build the capacity of our institutions to maintain road assets and attract international funding support to ease the pressure on our state budget.”

Kpakol said  his team had made significant progress from setting up institutions and conducting data collection and road inventory to carrying out out sensitization across the 23 local government areas as well as developing the road sector reform strategy operational manuals.

He said the workshop would provide opportunity to review and harmonize these efforts, align the policies with global best practices and ensure the long term sustainability of rural roads through proper maintenance, financing and governance.

“As we deliberate today, I encourage everyone to share ideas freely with one goal in mind, building sustainable, efficient and inclusive rural roads sector that transforms livelihood and drives economic growth across Rivers state,” he said.

The event was attended by various stakeholders, including traditional rulers, non-governmental organizations, farmers, etc.

John Bibor

The Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE) says digital infrastructure remains a critical driver for sustainable economic development and growth in the country.

The President of NIEEE, Dr Felix Olu, said this at the closing ceremony of the 2025 International Conference and Exhibition of Power and Telecommunications (ICEPT) held on Thursday in Osogbo.

The Tide source reports that digital infrastructure refers to the underlying systems and structures that enable the flow, processing, and exchange of digital information like network, data centres, cyber security, among others.

Olu explained that digital infrastructure served as the platform for digital and knowledge sharing, while it was also the fuel which triggered economic growth in many developed countries worldwide.

According to him, stakeholders must join hands together to improve the country’s digital infrastructure by bridging the gaps to align with population growth.

“We have identified four areas that need urgent attention, including challenges in funding, deficit of manpower, maintenance management, and policy implementation.

“There are three major areas we need to focus on: adequate funding of the digital economy, stable power, and manpower development through training more professionals”, he said.

According to him, accelerated economic growth and development will follow once critical steps are taken to address the current digital challenges.

The Tide source reports that a national discussion on digital infrastructure was held, featuring various experts from different fields suggesting ideas to improve digital infrastructure in the country.

A communiqué was also issued at the end of the conference on contemporary issues in power, communications, and energy.

The communiqué highlighted the need for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and automation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance efficiency in the energy and industrial sectors.

It also called for research-industry collaboration to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technology and digital transformation initiatives, among others.