The Federal Government has banned electricity distribution companies and installers from collecting any form of payment for meters, warning that any official or installer found extorting customers will face prosecution. Speaking during an inspection at APM Terminals, Apapa (Lagos), the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the meters—procured under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP)—must be installed free of charge for consumers, regardless of tariff band. With another 500,000 smart meters received and about 3.4 million expected in total across phases, the initiative is positioned to close the metering gap, make billing fairer, and improve sector liquidity—while government oversight and reporting mechanisms help ensure compliance.