Mohammed Shosanya
Given right policies and enabling environment from government,indigenous companies can meet the federal government’s metering target in the country,Meter Manufacturers and Assemblers Association of Nigeria,MMAAN, has said.
Besides,the association is pleading with the overnment to save meter industry from total collapse by direct the Procurement Management Unit of the Transmission Company of Nigeria to review its recently advertised World Bank meter procurement bid for 1,250,000 electricity meters because the stringent pre-qualification conditions are out of reach for local manufacturers.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Engr. Durosola Omogbenigun, Secretary of the Association,said that the World Bank meter procurement bid is inimical to the growth of the local meter manufacturing sector, as it negates the gains that have been achieved through backward integration, technology transfer and employment creation.
The meter manufacturers further frowned at the decision of the Federal Government to use a World Bank loan of $155 million to support the importation of electricity meters into the country.
He warned that that if the bid is not reviewed downwards, indigenous meter manufacturers risk exclusion as they are still struggling to survive.
Omogbenigun, noted that the sector employs thousands of people working in different sections, adding that the jobs of these employees are at a risk, if the Federal Government does not halt its decision
He added that there are about 40 local meter manufacturers in the country, creating employment and adding value to the economy.
He revealed that there is a shortfall of about 10million metering gap in the country, adding that the meters produced by local manufacturers have been certified and confirmed to meet international standard.
Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke,Treasurer of the Association, said that making the local manufacturers to participate in the ongoing Phase 2 of the National Mass Metering Programme(NMMP) would help the government to increase local capacity utilisation, keep forex within, and accrue more tax from these local players.
He maintained that local companies have the capacity to meet the Federal Government metering target with right policies and enabling environment from government.