Stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) have called for support for the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) drive to enforce standards in the power sector.
This was the position of participants at a roundtable for legislature and judiciary on the enforcement of technical standards and regulations of NEMSA held at the weekend in Lagos.
The Minister of State, Power, Mr. Jedy-Agba, who was represented by the Director of Distribution, Ministry of Power, Pricilla Sapke, noted that there was the need for continuous sensitisation to improve the awareness of stakeholders, particularly the key actors comprising of the executive, legislature and judiciary through sessions like the roundtable discussion as it would help to enlighten operators and the public on the legal framework of the enforcement powers of NEMSA.
He, therefore, urged members to create awareness on the importance of the mandate/functions of the agency to ensure electrical safety requirements are maintained.
NEMSA’s Managing Director, Aliyu Tukur Tahir said the meeting provided the opportunity for robust discussions and engagement that would play an important role in enhancing the effective delivery of the agency’s mandate.
Lending his voice at the meeting, Senator Yusuf Yusuf said there was the need for Nigerians to know and appreciate what NEMSA is doing because they occupy a critical position in the power sector. The lawmaker assured that the National Assembly would give NEMSA the support to achieve safe, reliable, efficient and stable power as well as safety of lives and properties.
Explaining the role of NEMSA, its Chairman, Suleiman Yahaya, said: “To promote safety, we certify workers to ensure that only competent and qualified people carry out electrical jobs in Nigeria. we have a certification programme that we run in NEMSA. Before you engage anyone, ask him if he is certified, and tell him to show you the evidence and make sure you verify before you engage the person,” he advised, assuring that the agency will continue to monitor all categories of electrical installations to ensure safety in the industry.’’
The pioneer managing director of the agency, Peter Ewersor, said the body regulates and enforces technical standards in the power sector to ensure the safety of Nigerians adding that it is the job of NEMSA to inspect, test, and certify electrical materials, equipment, power systems and electrical installations of the power industry, including testing installations to ensure adherence to technical standards and regulations”