TheCable

Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, says the federal government has released N12.7 billion to provide meters in army barracks across the country.

Adelabu said the amount is from the N40 billion earmarked for the mass metering project, according to a statement by Bolaji Tunji, his special adviser on strategic communication and media relations, on Monday.

The minister, who spoke during the flagoff of the metering exercise at the headquarters of the 9th brigade of the Nigerian army, Ikeja Military Cantonment, said the exercise would be in phases.

He said the Ikeja cantonment is the first phase of the exercise, which would last for six weeks before the second phase begins.

“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 minister said.

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

“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.”

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

He said it would be difficult to bypass the meters which also come with an app where customers can get statements of their consumption on a monthly basis.

The minister added that the meters allow interconnectivity between grid and off-grid solar power supply.

According to Adelabu, part of the energy blueprint for the country involves building off-grid power sources such as solar energy for military barracks located in remote areas without grid supply.

He said where there is a grid supply, there would be an interchange between the grid and solar supply if not satisfied with the number of hours supplied by the distribution companies (DISCOs).

“Beyond metering, we have to prioritise electricity supply to the barracks,” the politician said.

On his part, Ashade Olatunbosun, chief executive officer of De Haryor Global Services, said the second phase of the project would begin in Abuja and Enugu, simultaneously.

He said military formations across the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) would benefit from the exercise.

“Army formations in Jos, Abuja, Ibadan, Enugu, Kaduna, Ikeja and Eko DisCos will benefit from the exercise,” Olatunbosun said.

Speaking earlier, Adegoke Adetuyi, commander of the 9th brigade of the Nigerian army, Ikeja, said the federal government’s metering initiative was timely as the brigade headquarters had been getting epileptic power supply over time.