ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT TARGETS 100MW THROUGH IPP, RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL METERING INITIATIVE TEAM
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ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT TARGETS 100MW THROUGH IPP, RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL METERING INITIATIVE TEAM
In line with Ondo State Government’s commitment to energy reforms, the state recently hosted a team from the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy to discuss developments in the energy sector.
The meeting was focused on ensuring the successful implementation of the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which aims to close the metering gap in Nigeria.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, Engr. (Dr.) Johnson Alabi, began the meeting by outlining Ondo State’s efforts to align with the federal government’s objectives of eliminating estimated billing and addressing metering gaps.
He highlighted that Ondo State was the first in Nigeria to enact the State Electricity Power Sector Law in December 2020.
This law has been pivotal in moving the state towards regulatory independence and facilitating reforms within the power sector.
Engr. Alabi also shared that Ondo State was one of the first three states to receive full regulatory transfer from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on October 22, 2024. He further explained that the state’s flagship O’Datiwa Metering Programme has already installed over 7,000 meters in just four months, with a target of installing 60,000 meters by the end of 2025.
The meters, including 4G and 5G smart meters, are being provided to consumers at subsidized rates, with costs to be refunded through future vending.
The Special Adviser emphasized that the process for acquiring meters has been streamlined, with consumers able to easily fill out forms on a portal and make payments directly to a designated state government account, ensuring transparency and preventing irregularities.
He also mentioned that a new application is being developed to monitor meter deployment across the state which he envisaged will reduce energy theft and thereby reduce cum eliminate ATC & C losses in the state.
Engr. Alabi urged the PMI team to work closely with state regulators, particularly those with full regulatory rights, to ensure proper accountability and resolve issues between DisCos and consumers.
He reiterated Ondo State’s readiness to collaborate with the federal government on energy reforms.
Engr. Lawal Yusuf, leader of the PMI team, expressed appreciation for the meeting, stating that the PMI is a national initiative aimed at closing the metering gap and supporting the electrification of Nigeria.
He acknowledged Ondo State’s progress and assured that the Federal Government would continue to support states with subsidized meters and favorable repayment mechanisms.
The team also discussed the completion of the 330KV/132KV TCN Sub-Station at Oba-Ile, which Engr. Lawal highlighted as essential to ensuring adequate and reliable electricity in the state.
He advocated the intervention of the ODSG to see the project to fruition.
Engr. Olugbenga Bolawole, State Coordinator of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (OSERB), emphasized the importance of metering and the state’s role in ensuring effective regulations.
He also informed the PMI team about the licensing of three Independent Power Plants (IPPs) in the state amounting to about 100MW, expected to start operations within the next six months.
According to a statement signed by the Media Officer to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, the meeting concluded with a mutual commitment of the PMI to collaborate and ensure the successful rollout of metering programs across the state.
On behalf of the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Engr. Alabi expressed gratitude to the PMI team for their visit and extended the Governor’s greetings, noting that he would have personally received the team but for the short timing and his busy schedule.
However, he fully supports the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts in improving the state’s electricity sector.
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