NMMP: Ikeja Electric advises customers to be patient

Mrs Folake Soetan, Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electric Plc

Ikeja Electric Plc has advised customers yet to get prepaid meters under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) to be patient, as the next phase of the programme would soon begin.

Mrs Folake Soetan, Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electric Plc, gave the advice at a customer’s forum organised by the DisCo and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Tuesday in Ikeja.

Soetan noted that 106,000 meters were allocated to Ikeja Electric under the first phase (Phase Zero) of the NMMP, and the DisCo was able to meter over 99 per cent of the customers.

She said: “The phase zero was very successful and we are now waiting for the phase one to begin.

“The target of phase zero was one million meters while phase one will be four million meters, but it is going to be done in batches and hopefully we will be able to meter the entire number that will be allocated to us.

“Our advice is that customers who have registered should be patient because the phase one will soon begin and those who are yet to register are advised to do so as soon as possible.”

Soetan also clarified that the Meter Assets Providers (MAP) scheme was running side by side with the NMMP for customers who want to fast track their metering process without having to wait for the NMMP.

She noted that the forum had given the DisCo the opportunity to hear the complaints from its customers, and those relating to estimated billing would be resolved as soon as possible.

Soetan said Ikeja Electric had also strengthened its network by upgrade of infrastructure, distribution lines and procurement of transformers to ensure stable supply of electricity to customers.

Also, Dr Musiliu Oseni, Vice Chairman, NERC, said the forum was organised to hear complaints from electricity customers within the network and find lasting solutions to them.

Oseni said NERC would continue to protect the rights of Nigerians by ensuring proper regulation of the electricity industry in line with the agency’s mandate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NMMP was flagged off on Oct. 30,2020 by the Federal Government to close the metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

It would assist in reducing collection losses, while at the same time, increasing financial flows to achieve 100 per cent market remittance obligation of the DisCos.

Part of the objectives also include the elimination of arbitrary estimated billing, improving network monitoring capability and provision of data for market administration and investment decision-making.

PIA implementation will enable far-reaching reforms – NUPRC boss

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer, NUPRC

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), says the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act ( PIA) will enable far-reaching reforms and a sustainable overhaul of the industry.

Komolafe made the assertion on Tuesday at the virtual Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) 2021 Business Forum and Annual General Meeting.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum had as its theme,”Petroleum Industry Act (PIA): Progress and Opportunities in the Decade of Gas.”

He said the signing of the PIA by President Muhammadu Buhari on Aug. 16 after almost two decades was a monumental feat in the advancement of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Komolafe said: “This omnibus law holds the key to unlocking value from the nation’s petroleum resources for the benefit of our generation and unborn Nigerians.

” The Act will enable far-reaching reforms and a sustainable overhaul of the industry, in view of its focussed implementation under the committed leadership of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva.”

According to him, the PIA and the Decade of Gas initiative of the government will help the government to attain its key objectives for the industry.

He said that the legal, regulatory, fiscal, governance and institutional frameworks to maximise Nigeria’s oil and gas resources had been provided for by the PIA.

Komolafe said the Act also provided incentives to attract investments in gas infrastructure development and exploration to deepen downstream gas penetration in line with government’s aspirations.

While commending the NGA for organising the forum, he said the commission would continue to partner with all stakeholders for the advancement of the industry.

Earlier, Mr Ed Ubong, President, NGA, said the global energy transition and the COVID-19 pandemic had made it imperative for all stakeholders to work together to accelerate the development of gas in Nigeria.

Ubong said the NGA was committed to supporting the government’s efforts to utilise gas for industrialisation of the country, especially with the signing of the PIA. 

NUPRC says synergy among stakeholders critical to achieving objectives of PIA

Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer, NUPRC

The Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission ( NUPRC) says synergy and collaboration among stakeholders in the oil and gas sector is critical to achieving the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The NUPRC, also known as the Commission is one of the petroleum regulatory agencies established following the signing of the PIA into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on Aug. 16,2021.

Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Pioneer Chief Executive Officer, NUPRC, said the PIA which was signed into law after almost two decades has created a clear fiscal and regulatory framework for the industry.

He said the objective of the Act was to attract investment to Nigeria's oil and gas sector and optimise the nation's hydrocarbon resources for national development.

According to him, this is aimed at increasing the nation's oil and gas reserves and reduction in operating costs in the country.

Komolafe , who had held several engagements with stakeholders in the industry since assuming office, noted that the effective implementation of PIA was very important to the Buhari-led administration.

"We must continue to collaborate, synergise, and build partnerships across all agencies of government and our stakeholders, for the purpose of innovation, data gathering, information sharing and to breach specialised human capacity gaps among others, as these are positive drivers to improve local human capacity for Nigeria," he said.

Komolafe said the Commission has the responsibility of technical , operational and commercial regulation of upstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.

He said the goal of the commission was to function as a 21st century regulator by promoting an enabling environment for investment in upstream petroleum

operations.

Komolafe added that the Commission would however, ensure strict implementation of environmental policies, laws and regulations

for upstream petroleum operations.