The Nigerian Consumer Protection Network has implored the Federal Government to consider protection of indigenous manufacturers of meters in the country.
Kunle Olubiyo, the President of the group,said this against the government resolve to deliver 75,000 electricity meters under the International Competitive Bid 1 .
The Federal Government had said it will deliver the first batch of over 3.2 million electricity meters procured to bridge the over 7 million units metering gap in the country.
Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Bolaji Tunji, quoted his boss as saying that 75,000 meters under the International Competitive Bid 1 are expected by April 2025.
The second batch of 200,000 meters will follow in May 2025, the statement added.
In a statement on Monday, Olubiyo commended the Minister of Power for his efforts to narrow the wide metering gap in the country.
He cautioned the government against the international bidding for the meters and emphasized the need for Nigeria to carry along the local meter manufacturers who are part and parcel of the country’s manufacturing subsector.
He explained that the development would pave way for the creation of creating job and transfer of knowledge , technology transfer and closures of skills gaps in the metering value chain.
He added:”Moving forward, the Federal Government should at all times strike a balance such that Nigeria wouldn’t end up exporting jobs meant for Nigerian youth to China and other Asian countries, while on the other hand importing poverty and unemployment embedded in 100 percent sole imports dependent economy.
“Nigerian government should think through these noble objectives and endeavor to strike an equitable balance to give the local industry a fair deal”
