- House of Representatives urges restrictions on imported electricity meters to promote local production and boost Nigeria’s economy.
- Lawmakers propose special tariffs and removal of waivers for imported meters, encouraging support for Nigerian manufacturers.
- Committee Chairman Victor Nwokolo emphasises job creation, foreign exchange savings, and long-term economic stability through local manufacturing.
The House of Representatives raised concerns over the rising importation of electricity meters and finished products from China and other countries. Lawmakers argue that local manufacturers can produce these items, and importing them stifles local investors, limits job creation, and harms Nigeria’s economy.
The House proposed several measures to reduce the influx of imported meters and boost local manufacturing. These include imposing special tariffs and removing waivers on imported meters to promote local industry growth.
The House Committee on Power Chairman, Victor Nwokolo, expressed discontent during a visit to Metering Solutions Manufacturing Services Limited (MSMSL) in Onna, Akwa Ibom State. He emphasised that continued importation of meters hurts the local economy and urged the government to prioritise local manufacturers.
Nwokolo stressed the importance of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to support local investors. “To grow our economy, we must conserve foreign exchange and strengthen the Naira by supporting locally produced goods,” he said.
He highlighted the need to enforce Nigeria’s Local Content Law and warned that companies importing finished products would no longer find it “business as usual.” Nwokolo pointed out how importing meters negatively impacts job creation, emphasising the need to empower local manufacturers who can quickly repair faulty meters, unlike imported ones.
“There is no need to give waivers to Chinese companies or any foreign entities to import meters,” he added, comparing it to the penalties imposed on those who import cars.
Tolulope Ogunkolade, Managing Director of MSMSL, expressed frustration over the lack of patronage for locally made meters. He noted that Chinese companies received licenses to import 1.3 million meters while Nigerian manufacturers faced neglect.
The House’s stance aligns with the ongoing Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which Nwokolo commended for making progress in addressing Nigeria’s metering gap. He praised the initiative for promoting transparency in electricity billing and reducing meter-related fraud.
Nwokolo urged the government to act quickly to stop the importation of meters and other finished products. He stressed that promoting local production would create jobs, save foreign exchange, and strengthen Nigeria’s economy.
The Committee Chairman emphasised that prioritising local manufacturers ensures long-term economic stability. He affirmed that the government would no longer tolerate foreign dominance in sectors with local capacity.
As Nigeria tackles its power challenges, this push for local meter production represents a step toward self-sufficiency and economic resilience. The House’s proposed measures aim to strengthen the local manufacturing sector and reduce the country’s reliance on imports in the power industry.