The Nigerian Army voices frustration over persistent power shortages at the Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos, just as the Federal Government initiates a comprehensive metering scheme across barracks nationwide.
During the kick-off of the metering exercise at the 9th Brigade headquarters, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed that the government has allocated a staggering N12.7 billion for this endeavor, aiming to eradicate estimated billing and ensure accurate consumption tracking.
“For the current exercise, the sum of N12.7 billion has been released out of a total of N40bn for the mass metering project,” the Minister noted.
Adelabu underscored the importance of this initiative, emphasizing its alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to prioritize reliable electricity supply to military installations, a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
As the minister outlined the plan’s six-week duration for the initial phase, he highlighted the deployment of tamper-proof smart meters designed to curb energy theft and enable seamless integration with off-grid solar power systems, particularly vital for remote barracks lacking reliable grid connections.
Ashade Olatunbosun, overseeing the metering project, revealed that the second phase will simultaneously commence in Abuja and Enugu, extending its reach across military formations serviced by 11 distribution companies nationwide.
Maj. Gen. A.M Adetuyi, receiving the minister and project representatives, hailed the initiative’s timeliness, citing persistent power shortages plaguing the brigade headquarters.
He lauded the metering project as a beacon of hope, addressing longstanding issues of erratic supply and inaccurate billing, which have hampered operational efficiency.
With the government’s commitment to enhancing energy access in military installations, the metering project signals a significant stride towards bolstering infrastructure and optimizing resources to better serve Nigeria’s armed forces.
