The federal government has kicked off another round of prepaid meter distribution targeted at Band A electricity users, the second such exercise since tariff subsidies for the category were removed last year.

The rollout is part of the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), which is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity distribution network and close the huge metering gap. Under the scheme, about 1.3 million prepaid meters will be shared nationwide.

The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED Plc) disclosed that it has started installing 109,000 meters across its franchise states—Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, and Plateau—beginning with Plateau as a pilot state. The company stressed that the meters are provided at no cost, warning customers not to pay staff or middlemen for either the meters or the installation process.

The new meters are equipped with automated token upload, GPS-based security locks, tamper alerts, and real-time consumption tracking, making it harder for consumers to bypass the system or manipulate readings.

However, the programme applies only to existing unmetered Band A customers and those with faulty devices. New users are required to obtain their meters through the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework.

This is the second free metering scheme for Band A in just over a year. The earlier initiative, the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), provided more than 41,000 meters financed from deductions out of DisCos’ revenues.

Experts have welcomed the move but raised concerns over equity. Energy consultant Barr. Bode Fadipe observed that while Band A consumers pay the highest tariff, there is no clear plan yet for Bands B, C, and D, who also face serious metering challenges.

The new scheme, he said, highlights the need for government and regulators to outline how other categories of electricity users will eventually be accommodated.