Benin Electricity Distribution Company Receives 75,000 Free Meters from Federal Government
The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has taken delivery of 75,000 electricity meters under the Nigerian Federal Government’s nationwide free metering programme, with installations now active across its operational territories. The disclosure was made by BEDC’s Managing Director, Jonathan Lawani, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City on Thursday.
The initiative is part of a larger federal effort to address the country’s significant metering gap and eliminate estimated billing. BEDC, which distributes power in Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states, is scheduled to receive a total of 161,000 meters through the programme. Of the initial consignment, Edo State has been allocated over 38,000 units, earmarked for BEDC’s three regional offices in Benin, Uromi, and Auchi. Lawani confirmed that installation of the newly arrived meters is already progressing.
He strongly advised customers against paying any fees for the meters or their installation, reiterating that the scheme provides them entirely free of charge. Lawani also addressed a concerning trend of some consumers rejecting the meters due to the mistaken belief that metering leads to higher electricity consumption. He urged residents to report any illegal charges and warned that electricity theft would be met with strict sanctions.
The stakeholder engagement also featured remarks from Edo State’s Commissioner for Power, Paul Usenbor, who reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving power reliability. He stated that Governor Monday Okpebholo has prioritised achieving a stable, round-the-clock electricity supply for homes and public institutions. Usenbor highlighted the meeting as evidence of a collaborative push toward infrastructure development, standardized metering, and enhanced customer service responsiveness.
A key long-term objective, he noted, is increased private sector involvement in the state’s power sector. To this end, the governor has directed the establishment of a meter assembly plant within Edo State, a move expected to boost local capacity and create jobs.
The distribution of free prepaid meters is a critical component of Nigeria’s strategy to enhance billing transparency, improve revenue collection for utilities, and empower consumers with control over their electricity usage. BEDC’s rollout represents a significant step in this direction for its four-state franchise, with the state government’s plans for local assembly pointing toward sustainable, indigenous solutions to the nation’s metering challenges.
