•DG lists gains of sustainable energy

STAKEHOLDERS in the nation’s energy sector, specifically metering subsector, have urged  the Federal Government to develop a framework that will give consumers the right to procure pre-paid meters from operators and install without any condition attached to the process.

The proposal is coming amid the Federal Government’s recent directive to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to commence full implementation of an alternative funding scheme on pre-paid meters.

Speaking in Lagos recently on the development of pre-paid meters, the Chief Executive Officer, Momas Electricity Company, Mr. Kola Balogun said one of the major challenges facing the industry is the difficulty consumers encounter accessing credit for their meters on daily basis.

Balogun noted that to support the Federal Government’s initiative as well as meet the yearning of people on the availability of pre-paid meters, “Momas” has developed a state of the art intelligent meters that allow two-way communication, as well as open a real online transaction between the users and the operators.   He said: “We have equally developed a Point of Sales Technology (POS) that will allow  every vendor  in each estate to sell electricity or pay for electricity within the sector.”

Speaking on the development,  an  energy consultant, Mr. Atilade  Igbaidara  noted that with this proposed law,  consumers  we have opportunities  to access the meters  with ease   from the designated centres.

Meanwhile, the Director General, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Eli Jidere Baba has described sustainable energy as a major component in the current drive to boost Nigeria’s electricity supply.

Speaking at a one day Multi-Sectoral and Development Partners Forum on Sustainable Energy for all (SE4ALL) yesterday in Abuja, Prof. Baba, stated that sustainable energy which could be obtained through water, sun, wind and bio mass are the best any nation can rely on.

“Renewable energy refers to energy derived from a source, which can be replenished within a relatively short time or a source that has the ability to continue providing energy with no long-term adverse effect to the environment.”

He noted that nations worldwide are pushing for development, which is driven by energy sources, technologies and best practices that are sustainable.