Shettima inaugurates meter factory in Anambra, says it’ll boost power supply

The federal government has inaugurated an electric energy meter manufacturing factory in Anambra, with the projection of producing 1.4 million meters yearly.

Speaking at the inauguration on Thursday, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the move will help close the gap of meter shortage in the country, as well as drive economic development in the energy sector.

“We commend this initiative as we commission the factory to the glory of God and the use of humanity. This will help reduce the shortage gap of prepaid meters in the country,” Shetima said.

“We believe that the establishment of the factory will help resolve the power supply challenges facing the country by addressing the critical issue of the very high metering gap among consumers. 

“It is also a direct response to the call by the federal government for local and foreign investors to invest in Nigeria, create jobs and stimulate economic activities all around the country.” 

Also speaking, Okechukwu Onyejiuwa, chief executive officer (CEO) of the factory, said the establishment of the factory is to support the government’s initiatives to resolve the country’s power supply issues, specifically targeting the high metering gap. 

Onyejiuwa said the factory has the capacity to produce both one and three-phase meters and will contribute to combating the power shortage in the country. 

“This factory can produce 1.4 million meters annually. The establishment is to support the government’s efforts to resolve the power supply challenges facing the country by addressing the critical issue of the very high metering gap amongst consumers,” he said.

“This facility possesses the capability to produce single phase and three phase as well as maximum demand meters. 

“The manufacturing facility is equipped with advanced, cutting-edge equipment and machinery to manufacture a wide range of MD and non-MD smart energy meters, as well as feeder meters of accuracy class ranging from 0.2S to 1S in compliance with national and international standards.”

Speaking further, Onyejiuwa said the factory can provide over 4,000 employment opportunities in the state not just for indigenes but those outside the state.

“The factory is set to create about 500 direct jobs comprising majorly of engineers, technicians as well as finance and administration professionals. In addition to the direct jobs, we estimate that there will also be over 4,000 jobs created by the activities of this company,” he said.

Onyejiuwa added that sourcing foreign exchange to import machines, equipment and raw materials has been a herculean task in recent years.

He said one of the advantages of local meter production is that it will reduce the tendency of outsourcing energy meter supply to foreign companies with import duty waivers.