The Nigerian House of Representatives has demanded accountability from stakeholders in the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), expressing dissatisfaction with the use of a ₦59 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

At a Saturday briefing, Uchenna Okonkwo, chairman of the Joint Committee overseeing the probe, said documents reveal troubling ambiguities. The programme, approved in 2020, was expected to end estimated billing and encourage local meter production. However, lawmakers say progress has stalled.

“The committee engaged Meristem Wealth Management Limited, NESI–Stabilisation Strategy Limited and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and other relevant bodies on the disbursement of ₦55.42bn out of the initial ₦59.28bn earmarked for national metering by the apex bank,” Okonkwo explained.

Concerns heightened when lawmakers discovered that Meristem was granted 0.5 percent of annual DisCo collections up to 2030, a clause the committee described as worrisome.

Despite billions already disbursed to electricity distribution companies, including Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Kano Electricity Distribution Company, and Yola Electricity Distribution Company, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has not verified the installation of meters.

The Joint Committee announced it would deepen investigations and pledged to apply constitutional measures against non-cooperative parties.

Frontpagenews.ng reports that the probe underscores rising concerns over accountability in Nigeria’s power sector reforms.