The Federal Government has banned electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and their installers from collecting any form of payment for electricity meters, warning that officials found extorting customers will be prosecuted.
The Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, issued the warning on Thursday during an on-site inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos.
Adelabu said the meters were procured under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) and must be installed for consumers free of charge. He stressed that any demand for payment, whether directly or indirectly, would be treated as a criminal offence.
According to the minister, the Federal Government is committed to ending estimated billing and improving transparency in electricity supply across the country.
He expressed satisfaction over the arrival of another tranche of 500,000 smart meters imported under the DISREP initiative, noting that the meters would be distributed to electricity customers nationwide, regardless of their service band.
“I want to mention that it is unprecedented that these meters are to be installed and distributed to consumers free of charge—free of charge,” Adelabu said. “Nobody should collect money from any consumer. It is an illegality. It is an offence for officials of distribution companies across Nigeria to request a dime before installation. Even the indirect installers cannot ask consumers for a dime.”
The minister was received at the Apapa Port Command of the Nigerian Customs Service by the Area Controller, Mr. Emmanuel Oshoba.
Adelabu warned that the government would not hesitate to take legal action against any DisCo or installer found violating the directive, adding that strict monitoring mechanisms would be put in place to ensure compliance.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to strengthen the power sector and protect electricity consumers from exploitation.
