The Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria has explained why it discontinued its legal action challenging the importation of 1.55 million smart meters under the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme II, saying the decision was taken in the overriding national interest after reaching an amicable resolution with the Federal Government.
In a chat with our correspondent, the AMMON President, Durosola Omogbenigun, said the dispute was resolved following engagements with the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, and the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ayo Gbeleyi.
Omogbenigun stated that the association decided to halt the case to support the sustainable development of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
The PUNCH recalls that the World Bank had recently warned that it could stop the meter importation due to the court order obtained by AMMON. The World Bank disclosed that the legal action had become the programme’s biggest implementation risk and could force the cancellation of the procurement if the dispute was not resolved soon.
According to the bank, the court injunction had stalled the opening of bids under the second phase of the international competitive bidding process for the procurement of additional smart meters.
