WorldStage– The Ondo State Government has unveiled a new instalment-based prepaid metering scheme aimed at accelerating access to electricity meters and ending the era of estimated billing in the state.
Speaking at a press briefing in Akure, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Johnson Alabi said the initiative, implemented through the Ondo State Power Company, will enable residents to obtain prepaid meters with a small initial deposit while spreading the balance across three to six months.
“Many households are willing to get prepaid meters but cannot pay the full cost at once. This scheme solves that problem,” the Commissioner said.
He explained that residents could now pay a little upfront and spread the remaining cost conveniently over several months.
Under the first phase of the rollout, the state government had procured 50,000 meters for immediate deployment across the 18 local councils.
“We have acquired 50,000 meters for immediate distribution. It is a continuous process, and more will come,” he emphasized.
The scheme, according to Alabi, allows customers to choose between single-phase and three-phase meters, with flexible repayment windows. Once the initial payment is made, the meter is installed and activated, and customers can track payments via a dedicated online portal.
The Commissioner said further about the scheme: “Immediately you pay, the meter is released and installed. You can log into our portal anytime to monitor your payment record.
“If customers fail to pay within the agreed instalment period, the meter will stop working automatically.”
The Commissioner clarified the exact pricing structure for those opting for instalment payments.
According to him, the outright purchase remains ₦120,000 for single-phase meters and ₦210,000 for three-phase meters.
However, he clarified, under the new instalment scheme, the total cost varies depending on the repayment duration.
“If you choose three, four, five or six months, the total amount changes slightly. In all cases, the highest a customer would ever pay under this instalment arrangement is about ₦158,000 upward, depending on the duration, he explained further.”
He added that the system automatically activates as soon as the customer completes payment and disclosed that the Ministry now remotely monitors all installed meters to curb bypassing and energy theft.
“We can remotely detect any meter that has been bypassed. Electricity theft is a criminal offence and will be prosecuted,” he warned.
To strengthen enforcement, the state’s Chief Judge has established Special Electricity Offences Courts in Akure, Ikare and Okitipupa.
Addressing questions on transformer procurement, the Commissioner insisted that communities should not ordinarily buy transformers, poles or cables, saying “It is not normal for residents to buy transformers.
“Electricity distribution is privatized, and distribution companies have responsibilities. However, government still intervenes where necessary and continues to assist communities across the state, he stated”
The Commissioner emphasised that metering remains the foundation of the state’s broader energy reform, including plans to build an independent Ondo State electricity grid and eventually generate its own power.
Alabi assured: “Once we get metering right and reduce losses, we will activate our plan for state-owned generation. Metering is the first step.
“So far, the state has deployed over 15,000 meters under its ongoing metering efforts, with thousands more in the pipeline.
“People must understand that metering saves money. You only pay for what you consume. This initiative is for the benefit of our people.”
