Ondo State Government on Monday said it has responded to what it described as a politically motivated attempt by an unknown group to discredit the ongoing O'Datiwa Mass Metering Scheme operated by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources through the dissemination of false allegations.
A statement made available to journalists by the ministry's information officer, Debbie Funmilayo, dismissed the claims as “malicious, mischievous and sponsored by desperate political actors ahead of the upcoming general elections.”
According to the ministry, the so-called Ondo Integrity Group (OIG) behind the allegations is “a fake and unregistered entity assembled by disgruntled politicians to discredit the Acting Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Johnson Alabi, and tarnish the image of the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa.”
“Intelligence available to us confirms that certain political actors have sponsored online blogs and paid media platforms to disseminate fabricated stories designed to create confusion and undermine public trust,” the statement said.
Recall that a group, Ondo Integrity Group (OIG), recently claimed that funds meant for the O'Datiwa Mass Metering Scheme were being diverted to private accounts.
But the state government said the O'Datiwa meter project is one of the most transparent and people-centric energy reforms undertaken by the administration of Governor O'Datiwa.
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The statement further read, “It states that all financial transactions under the scheme are handled through a designated state-controlled account located at JAIZ Bank as well as recognized online payment platforms approved by the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (OSERB).
“The false claim that payments were made into private accounts is mischievous and therefore misleading.
“The government further clarified that the metering scheme allows private participation through Meter Asset Providers (MAPs), who operate independently in line with regulatory approvals. As per last count, about ten recognized MAPs are operating legitimately within the State.
“Each MAP, being a private and commercial entity, has its own independent financial accountability separate from Ondo State Power Company Limited (OSPC).”
However, the statement stressed that the O’Datiwa meter is currently “the cheapest in Nigeria”, with prices approved by OSERB to ensure fairness and transparency.
