Memoranda of Understanding signed (MoUs) between Ministry of Power and some Chinese Companies have started yielding results as one of the Companies, Skyrun Meter Solution is set to establish an electricity smart-meter in the Free Trade Zone in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Amb. (Dr.) Godknows Igali, while receiving the company in his office on behalf of the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo said that he is delighted that establishing the metering company in Nigeria would enhance revenue generation to the coffer of Distribution Companies thereby curtailing the menace of estimated billing as being experienced by the electricity customers in many parts of the country.
Prof. Nebo disclosed that SkyRun has been in Nigeria in the last 10 years, hence he urged the Chinese to collaborate with Distributions Companies (Discos) to meet their specifications as the Discos are distributors to the end users.
The Minister also directed the company to get appropriate license from Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Electricity Management Service for safety standard and specification as dictated by law.
The Minister lamented that staggering figure of about 60% of customers are not metered as just he said that manufacturing meters in Nigeria will significantly close metering gap and create employment to our teaming unemployed youth, while it will also enable investors re-coup their investment as planned.
Nebo further stated that as “We increase electricity consumption rate, we also have to produce more meters to meet their demand”. The Minister revealed that this administration will give more incentives to local manufacturers, so as to encourage them to establish more companies for the production of meters in the country.
The Minister noted with sense of appreciation the invaluable contribution of the Nigerian Embassy in China for wooing investors into the Nigerian Power Sector, saying that posterity will acknowledge their patriotic instincts in this regard.
He also commended the Nigeria – China Business Council (NCBC) in its efforts at establishing Smart – Meter Company in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Nigeria Deputy Chief of Mission to China Amb. Patrick Onadipe said Skyrun Meter Solution have been in Free Export Zone, Calabar in the last 10 years and are manufacturers of Water Dispensers, Fans, Fridges and other home appliances.
Amb. Onadipe recalled that the company had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry in January, 2015 for manufacturing of electricity smart meters in the country, the visit to the Ministry is therefore to build on the gains already recorded in the relationship with the Ministry.
Amb. Patrick said the plant would be commissioned in the last quarter of 2015 and further informed the Minister that the Company will collaborate with Enugu Electricity Distribution Company as a test-run for its planned pilot study.
He also revealed the company has currently employed more than 500 indigenous workers on its site in Calabar, and that the company is currently manufacturing a single- phase and 3- phase Smart- Meters, stressing that the meters would no doubt boost revenue base of Electricity distribution Companies operating in Nigeria.
Ibrahim Haruna
Assistant Director (Press)
