Local Meter Manufacturers to Struggle with Import Waiver on Meters

Local meter manufacturers have said the recently approved waiver on import levy on meters will hurt local manufacturers and encourage the influx of foreign products.

Chantelle Abdul, the Chief Executive Officer, Mojec International Limited, disclosed this during a visit by the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Olalere Odusote, to the company on Friday.

Abdul, who claimed that local manufacturers had developed the capacity to meet about 6 million metering gap in the country, said Mojec International Limited has been manufacturing meters for years.

She said, “Our factory was commissioned in 2012; we thought it was essential as a company providing meter solutions in a country where there is a huge metering gap that we produce meters that we design ourselves in this country.

“There is a huge debate going on nationwide today where the President has provided a waiver to import meters, and so I do not need to stress the fact that it puts manufacturers and those who are creating jobs here in Lagos and around the country in jeopardy.”

Abdul added, “I am happy to state that they are having discussions with us, and we are discussing a way in which we can ensure that we can bridge this gap through manufacturing as opposed to importation.

In August, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered a nationwide mass-metering programme in an effort to put an end to estimated and arbitrary billion for electricity.

“He has also approved a waiver of the import levy on meters, so that those that do not have meters can be supplied as early as possible at reasonable costs,” NERC said.