Fashola, Nnaji, NEMSA, seek better regulation of electricity sector

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IF assurances yesterday from top stakeholders are anything to go by, stiffer measures are now in place to ensure the integrity of electricity systems, networks and other electrical installations nationwide.

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) brought together stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) to chart a course for delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable electricity power supply and ensure the safety of lives and property in the sector.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, stressed the eagerness of the president to use the electricity sector as a catalyst to achieve industrialisation and boost socioeconomic activities, as well as stimulate rapid growth in the economy.

Fashola, whose speech was delivered by a representative, stressed the need to uphold the sanctity of lives of Nigerians and other electricity consumers.

He noted that the government would not condone frequent incidents of electrocution and other accidents in the industry due to the use of substandard materials and equipment, poor state of electricity supply networks as well as frequent systems collapses.

He stressed how NEMSA had been given a full mandate to ensure that the electricity services in the country meet the best international practice.

The minister used the forum to appeal to the owners of the privatised generation and the distribution companies to redouble their efforts at providing sustainable and reliable electricity to their customers.

He said: “While we appreciate the improvement in electricity supply since the inception of the present administration, I have to reiterate the fact that providing sustainable and efficient power supply in a robust electricity industry is one of the cardinal foci of the Buhari administration. I therefore urge all relevant stakeholders in the power sector to work assiduously in achieving this important feat.”

He noted: “As we consolidate on the gains of privatisation of the Nigerian power sector which took effect from November 2013, the important role of NEMSA in stabilising the industry cannot be over-emphasised. The Act which sets up NEMSA provides a guideline to its critical functions of providing enforcement, inspection, inspection, testing and certification towards ensuring that electrical materials, equipment, instruments used in NESI are of the right quality, standards and specifications; that power systems and networks put in place have been properly planned, designed and executed before use to ensure that such systems are capable of delivering safe, reliable and regular electricity supply to the consumers nationwide.”

Source: TheGuardian