FG approves N12.7bln for mass metering of army barracks nationwide

The Federal Government says it has released N12.7 billion to provide electricity meters at Army barracks across the country.

Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu said the released funds were from the N40 billion earmarked for the national mass metering project.

Persecondnews reports that the mass metering project was initiated to end the era of estimated billings in Nigerian Army formations nationwide.

Mr. Bolaji Tunji, special adviser on strategic communication and media relations to the Minister of Power, disclosed this in a statement obtained by Persecondnews on Monday.

He said: “The Federal government has begun the mass metering of the Nigerian Army formations nationwide with a promise to end the era of estimated billings in the power sector.”

In his remarks during the flag-off of the metering exercise at the headquarters of the 9th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja military cantonment, at the weekend, Mr. Adelabu said the exercise would be in phases, with the Ikeja cantonment being the first.

He noted that the current exercise will last for six weeks before the second phase begins.

He added: “The mass metering in army formations nationwide will enable us to know what is being consumed on a monthly basis in order to ensure appropriate billings and ease collections.

“The overall intention is to eliminate it and make estimated billing a thing of the past.”

Adelabu, who was received at the army headquarters by the Commander, A.M. Adetuyi, and the Chief Executive Officer of De Haryor Global Services, Ashade Olatunbosun, who is in charge of the metering project, said the current exercise is part of President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda to ensure regular supply of electricity to army formations nationwide.

“This is one of Mr. President’s objectives, as contained in the renewed hope agenda, to ensure that electricity supply to the armed forces is prioritised and they do not suffer, especially in the enjoyment of public utilities.”

According to Adelabu, the smart meters being installed are tamper-proof and would eliminate energy theft.

“You cannot bypass the meter which also comes with an app where customers can also get a statement of their consumption on a monthly basis,” PerSecondNews quotes Adelabu as saying.