FG defends regulations on metering

THE Federal Government (FG) on Monday, defended the meter service provider regulations draft saying this will unlock investment in meter.

It said the investments are needed to build consumer trust and also boost collection of a tariff.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola stated this at the 24th monthly power sector meeting, held at the Katampe substation, Abuja.

Fashola, who was represented by the Minister of State, Power, Works and Housing, Surv Suleiman Hassan said that N39 billion investment in metering will be driven by private companies and local metre manufacturer.

“The Ministry is hosting a discussion with MAN and other interested large consumers on the policy on 13th February 2018. The meter service provider regulations can unlock the investment into meters which are urgently needed to build consumers trust and boost collection efficiency,” he said.

In another development, the Minister commissioned a 100MVA, 132/33KV transformer at the Katampe substation.

According to him, the project was implemented in line with the TCN’s Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program, aimed at strengthening grid infrastructure for enhanced wheeling capacity.

He disclosed that; “the capacity of the Katampe 132/33kV substation, prior to this installation, was 120MVA. Therefore, with this installation, the capacity has been raised to 220MVA.

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“Similarly, the Apo 132/33kV substation has been raised from 199MVA to 290MWA. The two transformer projects, executed by Messrs. MBH Power Limited, are part of the Nigeria Electricity and Gas Improvement Projects financed by the World Bank.”

Earlier, the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Usman Gur Muhammed explained that the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion programme established by the TCN was prepared in line with the 20-year transmission expansion plan.

He said that the five projects earmarked for implementation under the program, in the sum of $1.57 billion are on track.

“We are working to ensure all the projects become effective before the end of the year,” he added.