The Lagos State Government has expressed dissatisfaction with electricity regulators over their inability to meter all electricity consumers in the state. This assertion was made by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, during a recent event marking the launch of four transmission substations in Lagos.

Ogunleye emphasized that current laws stipulate that every electricity customer must be metered, placing the onus of enforcement on both federal and state regulators. He pointed out that the Lagos State Government has already established the necessary policy and legal frameworks to support this requirement.

In response to questions about the government's actions to address the metering gap, Ogunleye stated, "I will do what I can. The law provides that all customers must be metered. The Lagos law insists that all customers must be metered. So, the question is: what are the regulators doing? What are they doing at the federal and the state level?" He further urged stakeholders to hold regulators accountable for their lack of action in implementing the metering policy.

Ogunleye also called on Lagos residents to collaborate with electricity providers by rejecting energy theft and safeguarding power infrastructure. He encouraged citizens to obtain their meters and manage their energy consumption wisely to avoid financial strain. "Let’s say no to energy theft. Let all of us protect this infrastructure. Let’s go and get our meters," he advised.

In addition to addressing metering issues, Ogunleye highlighted the state government's initiative to promote solar power solutions, particularly in areas facing significant electricity shortages. He clarified that while the government is not directly providing free solar electricity, it is fostering an environment for private companies to offer alternative energy sources. "We have started encouraging various companies to go into the business of delivering solar power, particularly in areas where there is considerable grid shortfall," he explained.

The commissioner also discussed ongoing efforts to enhance Lagos's electricity capacity through upgrades to transmission infrastructure. He noted that additional transformation capacity has been commissioned by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), including expansions at key substations such as Lekki, Ijora, and Alausa.

Ogunleye acknowledged the need for substantial expansion of transmission capacity to meet the growing electricity demands of Lagos. He stated, "What I know is that with time, there’s a need to triple capacity in the Lagos area, and it’s the right step in the right direction." He expressed optimism about the future, hoping that the TCN would continue to improve capacity, ultimately aiming for a distribution capacity of three to four gigawatts in the region.

As the Lagos State Government pushes for reforms in the electricity sector, it remains to be seen how regulators will respond to the call for improved metering and infrastructure development.