…Says it will generate more employment – Fashola
In a renewed effort to re-energize local manufacturing of meters, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola,
SAN, today met with local Manufacturers of Electricity of Meters, the meeting is to re-focus attention on the need to rapidly roll-out meters in order to ensure Distribution Companies, charge electricity consumers only for energy they consume.
From the report submitted to the meeting that there are estimated over 3 million unmetered customers nation-wide, hence Government’s policy is to bridge this metering gap as quickly as possible with maximum impact on local manufacturing and employment potentials fully harnessed.
The Minister joined by the Minister of State, Hon, Mustapha Baba Shehuri challenged the local meter manufacturers to think outside of the box through innovations so as to reap bountifully in the fledging electricity industry.
The forum deliberated on issues of concern to Government and the local manufacturers, to include the need for Distribution Companies to more aggressively patronize locally manufactured meters.
On their concerns, the representative of the Group, Engr. Kola Balogun said that access to and cost of credit is a major impediment to the growth of their production capacity in meeting present and future demand for meters.
On their part, the local manufacturers assured the Minister of their readiness to support the rapid roll-out of meters but are disposing to Government’s readiness to put in place clearer incentives for local production as opposed to importation of meters.
While concluding the meeting, the parties agreed to continuous engagement among actors – Government, local meter manufacturers Distribution Companies, the industry regulator’s and other stakeholders in line with the Government policy of rapid roll-out of meters, whilst promoting local manufacturing, employment generation and technological development in the country.