Lagos faults regulators over unmetered electricity consumers

The Lagos State Government has publicly faulted electricity regulators over the continued failure to ensure all electricity consumers in the state are metered. Biodun Ogunleye, the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, emphasized that existing laws clearly mandate that every customer must have a meter.

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I will do what I can. The law provides that all customers must be metered. The Lagos law insists that all customers must be metered. So, the question is: what are the regulators doing? What are they doing at the federal and the state level? I’m a policy maker, so don’t ask me that question. When you see the regulators, ask them.

Speaking on the sidelines of the recent unveiling of four transmission substations in Lagos, Ogunleye stated that the responsibility for enforcing the metering requirement lies with regulators at both federal and state levels. He asserted that Lagos has already established the necessary policy and legal framework to support universal metering. "As policy makers, we have ensured the policy document is there and the law is also there. So, if they’re not implementing it, they should come and tell us why they aren’t using it," Ogunleye challenged.

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As policy makers, we have ensured the policy document is there and the law is also there. So, if they’re not implementing it, they should come and tell us why they aren’t using it.

The commissioner also urged Lagos residents to support electricity operators by rejecting energy theft and protecting power infrastructure. He advised citizens to obtain their meters and manage their electricity usage responsibly to ensure the financial viability of the power companies. "Lagosians, let’s just work closely with these companies to ensure that they’re able to stay in business," he implored.

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Let’s say no to energy theft. Let all of us protect this infrastructure. Let’s go and get our meters. And at the end of the day, let’s manage our use so that we don’t also burst our pockets.

In addition to addressing metering issues, the state government is actively encouraging private companies to invest in solar power solutions, particularly in areas experiencing substantial shortfalls in grid electricity supply. Ogunleye clarified that the government is not providing free solar electricity but is creating a conducive environment for private operators to offer alternative power sources, allowing residents to access supply on their own terms.

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Lagosians, let’s just work closely with these companies to ensure that they’re able to stay in business.