Aba Power, Partners to Assemble Smart Meters in Abia, Create 35,000 Jobs

Aba Power, Nigeria’s newest electricity distribution company, is teaming up with four local and international firms to begin the assembly of smart electricity meters in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State. This move is expected to significantly boost employment and technology transfer in the region.

Mrs. Agatha Nnaji, Group Managing Director of Geometric Power (parent company of Aba Power) announced the initiative during a visit by the Abia State House of Assembly Committee on Power and Public Utilities to the company’s headquarters at the Osisioma Industrial Layout. She revealed that the meter assembly will take place within the company’s premises and could create up to 35,000 jobs.

Among the firms involved are Kayz Consortium, led by Prince Kalu, and Eve Metering Company, headed by Soji Olagunji, a Nigerian entrepreneur based in China. Two Chinese firms, Chint Metering and DCESN Metering, will also participate. Kayz is set to commence production this month, followed closely by Eve.

Each of the three firms -Kayz, Chint, and DCESN will assemble 20,000 meters, while Eve will produce 100,000 units. According to Engr. Alfred Atenega, head of the metering team at Aba Power, the company’s target is to roll out 20,000 prepaid meters every month, aiming to ensure all customers are metered within a year.

While it remains unclear if the meters will be supplied exclusively to Aba Power or extended to other electricity distribution companies, a source from one of the meter firms suggested that initial production will focus on Aba Power. However, future plans may include supplying other DisCos in Nigeria, depending on demand and capacity.

Chairman of the Abia Assembly Committee, Hon. Aaron Uzodike, praised Geometric Power’s innovative approach and called on the company to prioritize electricity supply to remote communities long cut off from the grid. In response, Aba Power Managing Director Ugo Opiegbe stated that ongoing rehabilitation of damaged and vandalized infrastructure in the Aba Ring-Fenced Area covering nine of Abia’s 17 LGAs will soon restore power to neglected areas.

Addressing concerns over customer payment arrears, Engr. Blessing Ogbe, Aba Power’s Chief Operating Officer, confirmed that a flexible, installment-based repayment system is in place. He noted that customers previously discouraged by estimated billing are now returning to reconnect, thanks to the transparency provided by smart metering.

Also speaking, Hon. Stephen Ucheonye Akachukwu shared positive feedback from residents of Aba who have expressed enthusiasm about the clarity and fairness that smart meters are bringing to electricity billing in the region.