The House Committee, led by Hamisu Ibrahim, the chairman, conveyed this commitment during an oversight visit to the plant, noting that partnering with the stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is necessary to achieve improved power generation.

The visiting lawmakers, accompanied by Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, the director general, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and his team, were received by Mokhtar Bounour, the CEO of Egbin Power, and members of the management team.

The Committee was given an overview of the plant and later accompanied on a tour of the facility. Other members of the Committee on the facility tour included Abdulmaleek Danga, Shehu Dalhatu, Ifeoluwa Ehindero, Sa’ad Wada Taura, and Ganiyu Ayuba.

During a presentation to the House Committee, Bounour emphasised that Egbin Power remains committed to providing stable and reliable power generation to drive socio-economic progress in Nigeria.

However, some constraints impact the company’s operations, which in turn affect its ability to operate at optimal capacity.

“Power is an essential utility that drives socio-economic progress. That is why we are focused on delivering best-in-class service, bringing energy to life responsibly in line with global best practices. Since the takeover, Egbin Power has continuously invested in the plant, our people, and the environment.

“To enable us to operate more efficiently, we have significantly enhanced our health and safety measures, upgraded our Distributed Control System for five units, ensured capacity building and development for our staff, provided a conducive work environment for our employees, and created sustainable initiatives that promote good health and support biodiversity, among other major investments made by the management over years,” Bounour explained.

He further noted that the GenCo will continue to drive operational excellence and sustainable growth through innovative solutions and technology.

Ibrahim mentioned that the essence of the visit was to understand the challenges facing the GenCo and subsequently explore ways to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.

He noted that the issues highlighted by Egbin Power were similar to those affecting other generation companies.

He stated that performance in the power sector will improve when challenges are carefully addressed through deliberation and collaboration with other stakeholders.

The chairman further commended Egbin Power for its commitment to national service.

He said,

“We are impressed with the operations of Egbin Power Plant. We will do everything possible at the National Assembly level to partner with Egbin Power to improve its performance.”

While giving his remarks, Mr. Gbeleyi applauded the management and staff of the GenCo for their efficiency and continuous effort towards delivering reliable electricity supply to drive the economy.

He said,

“Great job being done by the Board, management, and entire staff of Egbin Power Plant in terms of best practice, technical excellence, and operational sustainability. Without a doubt, this is more than a commendable effort considering the plant’s contribution to national growth and economic development, particularly in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). Bravo, and keep the flag flying.”

Through the PMI, the federal government aims to close the metering gap as well as put an end to estimated billing in Nigeria by providing two million meters every year for the next five years, beginning from next quarter, special adviser to the minister of power on strategic communications and media, Tunji Bolaji, told BusinessDay.

This initiative, which is backed by a budget of N700 billion and collaboration with local manufacturers for meter supply, aims to address the significant metering gap, with only about 5.99 million of the 13.19 million registered customers currently metered.

Available data shows that as of 30th June 2024, only 5,993,340 (45.43 percent) out of the 13,192,573 registered electricity customers across the twelve DisCos had been metered.

“We are still on course with the Presidential Metering Initiative and we expect delivery of meters to begin by the first quarter of next year. The plan is to distribute about two million meters next year and 10 million meters in five years and it will be done in tranches, Bolaji said.

“The government is working with the local manufacturers because the minister, in recent months, has had to inspect the local manufacturers to be sure they can deliver on the project. So we expect meters from the local manufacturers.”

He also disclosed that plans to roll out 3.2 million meters under the World Bank Distribution Sector Reform Program (DISREP) is on course and implementation is expected this month.

Recall that the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, had in October, announced that the federal government had procured 1.3 million meters under the DISREP initiative, noting that Nigeria will receive 1.3 million electricity meters between December 2024 and the second quarter of 2025.Nigeria cultural tours

This follows the move by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission in June 2024 to meter all customers under the Band A feeders across the country through the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF).

The eleven electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the period received a total of N21 billion from the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme for the procurement and installation of meters for unmetered Band ‘A’ customers within their franchise areas.

The total fund, according to the NERC, is the first tranche of disbursement from the MAF scheme based on contributions made by DisCos as at the April 2024 market settlement.

According to an Order on the ‘operationalization of ‘Tranche A of the Meter Acquisition Fund’ issued by NERC and sighted by BusinessDay, of the total sum, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) received N2.99 billion; Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), N1.57 billion; Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), N2.92 billion; Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), N1.72 billion; Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), N2.51 billion.

Total amounts received by other DisCos are: Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IE), N4.35 billion; Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), N521 million; Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDC), N1.22 billion; Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), N1.56 billion; Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), N1.36 billion; and Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), N243 million respectively.

The introduction of the MAF followed the failures of previous programmes and strategies including the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulations 2018 and the Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering (MAP & NMMR) Regulations in 2021, introduced by past administrations to address metering challenges in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

This is as the total metering gap currently stands in excess of seven million customers.

According to NERC, the inability of DisCos to raise financing in the form of debt or additional equity was identified as the major constraint in the acquisition and deployment of end-use meters and other capital investments.

“The Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme was therefore developed and approved by the Commission, primarily to address the challenge of DisCo creditworthiness inhibiting the deployment of end-use meter in NESÏ by creating a credible revenue stream from the market funds on the back of which long term financing may be secured by the utilities.

“The federal government has approved the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) with the overarching objective of closing the metering gap in the NESI within three years leveraging on smart metering technologies for data analytics.

“The MAF shall form one of the revenue streams for the repayment of the long-tenor financing for metering. The Commission approved the deregulation of meter prices under the MAP scheme vide Order NERC/2024/040 to ensure efficient pricing of meters while responding more quickly to changes in macroeconomic parameters. The Order provides that all prices of meters under the MAP scheme shall be determined through a transparent and competitive bidding process by eligible MAPs.

“The funds accrued as at the April 2024 market settlement cycle and available for procurement of meters under the first tranche of the MAF scheme is in the sum of N21.86 billion. The Commission hereby approves the use of a sum of N21 billion apportioned pro rata to contribution by the DisCos as Tranche A of the MAF scheme.,” the commission said.

It noted that while the NESI is expected to leverage on the revenue stream under the MAF framework to raise substantial capital funding for metering, there is an imperative to accelerate the closure of the metering gap for all customers currently classified under tariff Band A, for revenue protection and facilitating demand side management for the affected customers.