Lagos State: Unmetered Electricity Consumer Law Enforcement Failure

• Lagos State has criticized electricity regulators for failing to ensure all consumers are metered, despite existing laws.
• Commissioner Biodun Ogunleye stated that both federal and state laws mandate metering, and Lagos has provided the necessary policy framework.
• The state government places the responsibility for metering enforcement squarely on federal and state regulatory bodies.
• Lagos residents are urged to reject energy theft, protect infrastructure, acquire meters, and support the financial viability of electricity operators.
• Lagos is also encouraging private companies to deploy solar power in grid-deficient areas and is expanding its electricity transmission capacity, including doubling capacity at the Lekki substation.

The Lagos State Government maintains that comprehensive metering for all electricity consumers is already mandated by existing legal frameworks, placing the onus of enforcement squarely on federal and state regulators.

The Lagos State Government has publicly expressed its dissatisfaction with electricity regulators, citing their ongoing failure to ensure all power consumers within the state are equipped with meters. This firm stance was articulated by Biodun Ogunleye, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, during a recent event marking the unveiling of four new transmission substations in Lagos. Ogunleye underscored that the legal framework already in place mandates comprehensive metering for every electricity customer, emphasizing that this is not a new requirement but an existing obligation.

Commissioner Ogunleye's remarks came amidst discussions concerning the state's broader electricity reforms and initiatives aimed at enhancing power supply across Lagos. He directly questioned the actions of both federal and state regulatory bodies regarding the persistent metering gap, asserting that the responsibility for enforcing these critical provisions lies squarely with them. The state government, according to Ogunleye, has fulfilled its role by establishing the necessary policy and legal instruments to facilitate the implementation of universal metering.

Central to the Lagos State Government's argument is the assertion that robust legal provisions already exist, both at the federal and state levels, compelling electricity providers to meter all their customers. Ogunleye highlighted that the Lagos State unmetered electricity consumer law explicitly insists on this requirement. He clarified that as a policymaker, his role involves creating these foundational documents, which the state has done, thereby empowering regulators to act.

He further challenged the regulators to explain any shortcomings in implementation, stating that if they are not utilizing the provided policies and laws, they should account for their inaction. This position underscores the state's view that the tools for effective Lagos electricity metering enforcement are readily available, and the onus is now on the regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and close the significant metering deficit.

Beyond regulatory enforcement, Commissioner Ogunleye also appealed directly to Lagos residents, urging them to play an active role in improving the state's power sector. He called for a collective rejection of energy theft and emphasized the importance of protecting vital power infrastructure across Lagos. Furthermore, he advised residents to actively seek out and acquire meters, and to practice judicious energy consumption to manage their personal expenses.

In a move to bolster the financial health of electricity operators, Ogunleye encouraged Lagosians to collaborate closely with these companies, ensuring their continued viability in the market. Separately, the state government is also fostering an environment for private sector engagement in solar power deployment, particularly targeting areas experiencing significant shortfalls in grid electricity. This approach involves encouraging various private companies to offer alternative power solutions, rather than the state directly providing free solar electricity, thereby allowing consumers to access supply on their own terms.

The state's commitment to enhancing electricity supply extends to significant investments in transmission infrastructure. Ogunleye confirmed that additional transformation capacity has been commissioned by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe. This includes substantial upgrades, such as the Lekki substation effectively doubling its capacity, with similar expansions commissioned at Ijora and Alausa substations.

These ongoing projects are part of a broader strategy to meet Lagos's growing energy demands. The Commissioner indicated that to fully realize its electricity ambitions, Lagos would ultimately require a tripling of its current transmission capacity. These infrastructure developments are viewed as crucial steps in the right direction to support the state's long-term power sector legal framework and ensure adequate supply for its burgeoning population and economy.

Lawyers advising electricity distribution companies or large commercial consumers in Lagos should prepare for increased regulatory scrutiny and potential enforcement actions regarding mandatory electricity metering, as the state government is publicly pressuring regulators to uphold existing laws.

Source: Original reporting via The Electricity Hub