Mohammed Shosanya
The Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria,AMMON, has implored President Bola Tinubu’s administration to urgently address the foreign exchange crisis, inflation, and instability in the metering industry in order to avert the looming scarcity of the product in the country.
The group conveyed this in a statement on Friday.
It challenged the government to consider the liberalization of meter prices in order to enable manufacturers adapt to market dynamics and maintain a steady supply of meters, adding that cost-effective meter specifications are also essential.
The association expressed concern over the challenges posed by foreign exchange fluctuations as it impacts the continuous supply of electricity meters to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NESI.
It emphasized urgent need for regulatory measures to address the issue of a fixed meter price when all input costs are affected by increasing inflation and foreign exchange movements.
This attention is urgently required to ensure the seamless provision of meters across the nation,it said in the statement,adding that
the strategic move would not only facilitate the sustainability of the meter manufacturing industry but also ensure that end-users have access to reliable and affordable electricity meters”
The association emphasized the need for regulatory authorities to consider the liberalization of meter prices, allowing manufacturers to adapt to market dynamics and maintain a steady supply of meters.
The association added: “If urgent action is not taken and stakeholders to prioritize and expedite measures to address the impending shortage, which is occasioned by a three month, and growing, supply chain gap by our estimates.
“If this action is taken, it will ensure the continued and uninterrupted supply of meters to meet the nation’s growing demand for reliable electricity services barring the short gap already realized.
“AMMON advocates for collaboration between regulatory bodies and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA, to develop cost-effective meter specifications tailored to NESI requirements.
“By working closely with NEMSA, the association believes that it can contribute to the development of standards that promote affordability without compromising quality and reliability.
“AMMON remains committed to supporting the nation’s power sector and believes that these proposed measures will contribute to a more robust and resilient electricity metering ecosystem,”it added.
