Following the implementation of the NMMP Phase IIT, a World Bank-funded initiative launched to supply 1.2 million smart meters, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has cautioned the government on excluding local meter manufacturers and assemblers within the downstream power sector from the initiative.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to the media by MAN on Sunday.
The association explained that the stiff financial requirements and technical specifications listed in the advertised material of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are heavily biased against domestic manufacturers as local manufacturers would struggle to meet those stated requirements.
This, MAN said is against contradicted the Central Bank of Nigeria’s guidelines for the National Mass Metering Programme.
MAN emphasizes that local manufacturers have made substantial investments in expanding their manufacturing capacities, as per the Federal Government’s backward integration policy and the introduction of the NMMP intervention.
They have also made efforts to train and nurture a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the power sector’s demands, as envisioned in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry.
In the statement MAN warns that this situation could potentially lead to a replication of the distressing scenario witnessed in 2012 when local manufacturers were sidelined during the meter supply, resulting in the delivery of substandard meters by foreign companies awarded the contract, which were subsequently removed from the network.
Speaking on employment opportunity, MAN said “The position of the TCN that installation will provide employment opportunities to Nigerians will completely pale into insignificance when compared with a ratio of 1 to 10 jobs that will be created if local manufacturers are included in the scheme.”
Similarly, MAN argues that the intentional denial of opportunities for local manufacturers fails to acknowledge their impressive performance in the sector, including the successful deployment and installation of a total of 611,231 energy meters across the country between January 2019 and January 31, 2021.
The potential displacement of local meter manufacturers and assemblers in Nigeria’s power sector raises serious concerns about the future of the industry.
MAN calls on the government to reconsider the advertised financial requirements and technical specifications, ensuring that they align with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s guidelines.
By including local manufacturers in the supply of smart energy meters, the power sector can benefit from high-quality products while stimulating economic growth and generating a substantial number of job opportunities for the Nigerian workforce.
