Image caption; AMMON members with the Minister Chief Bayo Adelabu
Local Meter Manufacturers Withdraw Court Case Against Federal GovtY
Yinka ADETUNJI
The Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) has formally withdrawn a court case it instituted to stop the procurement process for phase two of the National Mass Metering Program (NMMP).
This decision was taken after the intervention of the Hon Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Power on Tuesday, where all the association’s concerns were tabled before the Minister.
In attendance at the stakeholders’ meeting were the Chairman, NERC, represented by Mr. Nathan Shatti; Commissioner, Finance and Administration, Dr. Alex Okoh; the Director General, BPE, the Managing Director of the TCN, and other directors in the Federal Ministry of Power.
Recall that the world bank is funding only 1.2million meters.
During the meeting, the Minister promised that AMMON members will be accommodated in the procurement process for the World bank funded NMMP phase 2 through a national competitive bid.
The Federal government will also work with the local meter manufacturers to implement other metering initiatives to address the huge metering gap in the power sector.
According to the President, AMMON, Engr. Ademola Agoro, the Association is happy to observe that the Minister, Chief Adelabu restated the FG’s determination to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in local meter manufacturing and production to close the huge metering gap of over 8million meters.
“Though this is a painful decision for the members of the association, the decision to discontinue the court case stopping the procurement process was done in national Interest and because of liquidity challenges of the Power sector”, Agoro said.
“We therefore seek the support of all stakeholders to work with the association to develop the Metering sector and the Backward Integration Program of the FG”, he added.