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DisCos Get N14.4bn Loan for 263,860 Prepaid Meters

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Prepaid Meters DisCos

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government said it has distributed the sum of N14.35 billion to electricity distribution firms for the procurement of prepaid meters under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

The money was disbursed to the energy companies through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as loan for the purchase of 263,860 meters as part of the efforts of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to increase metering capacity.

According to a statement, the facility β€œis a loan that must be repaid by the DisCos on the basis of the previously agreed amortisation schedule. The repayment is to be deducted from payments made by consumers into the DisCos accounts with Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).”

The maximum tenor for the loan is 10 years but not exceeding 2030, while the moratorium on the principal amount is for a period not exceeding 24 months from the date of loan disbursement.

In November 2020, it was reported by the FG intended to make immediate funding available for DisCos to roll out one million in the first phase of the mass metering programme.

Following the announcement, NERC released a list of the metering schedule for the first phase with Ikeja Electric getting meter allocation of 106,701 units (10.7 per cent).

Others were Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) with 103,997 units (10.4 per cent), Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) with 101,186 units (10.1 per cent), while the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) got 77,070 units (7.7 per cent).

The federal government launched the NMMP and the CBN in October 2020 issued the framework for financing of the scheme. The structure seeks to, amongst others, increase the country’s metering rate and eliminate arbitrary estimated billing.

Under the policy, the apex bank will provide financing support to the DisCos for the procurement of meters for customers and the local meter manufacturers.

The DisCo can neither use the facility to procure fully assembled meters imported by a MAP nor can it use the facility to import metering infrastructure that currently produced in Nigeria.

With respect to the facility granted to local meter manufacturers, such local manufacturer cannot use the CBN facility to finance the importation of fully assembled meters.

This implies that the local manufacturer can use the facility to import Completely/ SemiKnocked Down (CKDs/SKDs) components for assembling in Nigeria.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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NGIC Pipeline Network to Experience 4-Day Gas Supply Shortage

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NGIC Pipeline Network

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The pipeline network of the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC) will witness a temporary reduction in gas supply for four days.

This information was revealed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Andy Odeh, in a statement on Thursday night.

A key supplier of gas into the NGIC pipeline network is Seplat Energy Plc, a joint venture partner of the state-owned oil agency.

It was disclosed that the facility would undergo routine maintenance from Thursday. February 12 to Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The NNPC stated that, β€œThis planned activity forms part of standard industry safety and asset integrity protocols designed to ensure the continued reliability, efficiency, and safe operation of critical gas infrastructure.”

β€œPeriodic maintenance of this nature is essential to sustain optimal system performance, strengthen operational resilience, and minimise the risk of unplanned outages,” it added.

β€œDuring the four-day maintenance period, there will be a temporary reduction in gas supply into the NGIC pipeline network. As a result, some power generation companies reliant on this supply may experience reduced gas availability, which could modestly impact electricity generation levels within the timeframe.

β€œNNPC Ltd and Seplat Energy are working closely to ensure that the maintenance is executed safely and completed as scheduled. In parallel, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) is engaging alternative gas suppliers to mitigate anticipated supply gaps and maintain stability across the network,” the statement further said.

β€œUpon completion of the maintenance exercise, full gas supply into the NGIC system is expected to resume promptly, enabling affected power generation companies to return to normal operations,” it concluded.

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Judge Withdraws from EFCC Cases Against Former AGF Malami

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Abubakar Malami Assets Recovery Campaign

By Adedapo Adesanya

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused himself from the two cases involving the former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr Egwuatu was recently reassigned the cases by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and he disclosed that he withdrew for personal reasons and in the interest of justice.

The cases against Mr Malami were formerly before Justice Emeka Nwite of the same court, who was a vacation judge during the festive season.

Mr Egwuatu’s recusal comes after the civil suit for the forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Mr Malami was called for mention.

The former AGF, his wife, and son are facing a 16-count money laundering charge. They were granted bail on January 7 in the sum of N500 million with two sureties by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Nwite stated that the sureties must have landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, and Gwarinpa.

The judge added that the trio must submit their travel documents to the court.

The former Minister of Justice is facing a fresh persecution over the arms and ammunition found in his house by the Department of State Service (DSS). The arms were reportedly uncovered at his Kebbi country home by the operatives of the EFCC during a search.

The anti-graft agency handed the weapon to the secret police for a comprehensive probe, citing a lack of constitutional authority to investigate the possession.

Similarly, the former AGF was accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to his office as the AGF in the last administration for prosecution. Alongside his son, the lawyer was accused by the DSS of engaging in conduct in preparation to commit an act of terrorism by having in their possession and without a licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 Cartridges.

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NLNG Says Low-Risk Key to Unlocking Value in Nigeria’s Gas Industry

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Nigeria LNG Limited NLNG

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria LNG (NLNG) has reaffirmed that a well-structured, low-risk approach in Nigeria’s energy sector is essential to unlocking investments, accelerating economic development and strengthening energy security.

NLNG’s General Manager, Production, Mr Nnamdi Anowi, said this at a panel session titled De-Risking Investments in African Oil and Gas Projects during the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) in Lagos, noting that when oil and gas projects are perceived as too risky, investors tend to withdraw, leading to stalled projects, job losses, and missed revenue opportunities critical for national growth.

According to a statement by Mrs Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, he stated that reducing risks in oil and gas projects, beyond being a business strategy, was a matter of national importance for Nigeria’s economy, energy security, and long-term development.

He further explained that for NLNG, lowering risk means keeping gas flowing reliably, meeting long-term contracts, and ensuring the company remains a trusted supplier to global and domestic markets.

He said this will allow investors to fund projects at a lower cost, which ultimately benefits both companies and the country.

MrΒ Anowi also highlighted the importance of good infrastructure, local skills, and modern technology in reducing everyday operational risks.

He said that when pipelines, processing facilities, and digital systems work well, projects are safer, cheaper to run, and more reliable over time.

β€œIf we reduce risk the right way and work together, investment will come; the next decade must focus on growing proven, bankable projects that deliver real value to the country, ” he further said.

In his closing remarks, Mr Anowi noted that Africa and Nigeria in particular are investable when risks are planned for and managed carefully, not ignored.

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