The Nigeria senate has demanded a halt to the decision of Transmission company of Nigeria (TCN), to procure electricity metres for the second phase of the Nation mass metering programme (NMMP), from overseas sources.
The mass metering programme is said be executive through World Bank Facility
The decision to put project on hold by house followed a motion by Victor Umeh representing Anambra central
He Said “The World Bank has approved a loan of $155 million for the national mass metering programme,” Umeh said.
“The ongoing World Bank-funded NMMP Phase 2 seeks to promote foreign companies’ participation against competent and prequalified local metre manufacturers which will ultimately result in the loss of jobs and revenue.
The Senate urged the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to engage in negotiations with the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), in the event that the World Bank does not support the local production of metres.
This recommendation comes as the upper legislative chamber emphasises the importance of exploring alternatives to encourage domestic manufacturing.