Governor Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State launches O’datiwa metering programme
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has officially launched the O’datiwa Mass Electricity Metering Programme, an initiative designed to reform the power sector by eliminating the practice of estimated billing and ensuring fair and accurate charges for electricity consumption.
The programme was inaugurated at the Cocoa Conference Hall in Akure, where the Governor emphasized the importance of providing residents with transparent and efficient electricity services.
Advisors Reports gathered that the O’datiwa Meters, which is expected to be discounted at N110,000 for single phase and N200,000 for the three phases, aim to ensure that consumers are charged only for the energy they use, thus fostering greater fairness in billing.
This is an affordable option compared to the current prices under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme implemented by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
As of September 2024, single-phase meters under the MAP scheme range from ₦129,000 to ₦140,986, depending on the provider, while three-phase meters are priced between ₦220,375 and ₦236,903.
The pricing includes VAT, and various companies such as Armese Consulting, Mojec Asset Management, and Turbo Energy are involved in supplying the meters
According to Comrade Allen Sowore, the Special Senior Adviser to the Governor on Strategic Communication, this initiative marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing issues of inflated electricity bills faced by residents.
Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed that the programme aligns with the state’s broader efforts to manage its electricity sector independently.
He highlighted the recent transfer of regulatory oversight from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the newly established State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (SERB), which will enable the state to implement policies tailored to the specific needs of its citizens.
The Governor further outlined Ondo State’s ambitions to expand into power generation, transmission, and distribution, calling on electricity distribution and generation companies to partner with the state in achieving these goals.
This move is seen as a step towards ending energy theft and inefficient billing practices.
Engr. Tunji Light-Ariyomo, Chairman of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Transition Committee, hailed the development as a groundbreaking achievement, noting that Ondo is the first state in Nigeria to fully implement the power sector law.