Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday informed operators in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NESI, that one of the primary targets of the present government is to fix the sector.
The minister, at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency in Abuja, explained that the functions of NEMSA, as directed by the Federal Government, is to ensure stable systems that would deliver reliable, efficient and regular power supply and at the same time guarantee safety of lives and property in the industry.
He said, “We will therefore, continue to strive at all times to ensure that provision of electricity services in the country meet the best international practice.
This administration is mindful of the sanctity of lives of Nigerians and other electric ity consumers and would therefore, not condone frequent incidences of electrocution and other forms of accidents in the industry due to use of substandard materials and equipment and poor state of electricity supply networks, as well as frequent systems collapse.
“Let me avail the opportunity of this forum to appeal to owners of the privatised (power) generation and distribution companies to redouble their efforts at providing sustainable and reliable electricity to their customers.
While we appreciate the improvement in electricity supply since inception of this present administration, I have to restate the fact that providing sustainable and efficient power supply in a robust electricity industry is one of the cardinal foci of the Buhari administration.”
According to the former Lagos State governor, the forum was no doubt a major step in the effort of government, through NEMSA, to provide sustainable and reliable electricity supply through the application of high technical standards, correct specifications, quality materials, safety and competence to guarantee a competitive Nigerian electricity industry.
“As we continue to 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,” he said.
The minister stated that the Act, which set up NEMSA, provided a guideline to its critical functions of providing enforcement, testing and certification.
He said, “This is 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; that safety of lives and property within the grid and offgrid networks is assured.”
Fashola said NEMSA would also ensure that meters and instruments were of the right type, class and accuracy for proper accountability of energy produced, delivered, supplied and utilised by consumers.
He stated that the agency would ensure that only skilled and qualified technical personnel were engaged in the practice of electrical installations along the value chain in NESI and other allied industries.
Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, NEMSA, Engr. Peter Ewesor, said the agency was ready to deliver on its mandate as captured in the Act that established it, adding that it would not hesitate in sanctioning errant power firms, particularly those that use substandard materials.
In his presentation, a former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, urged NEMSA and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to interface in order to run seamless operations so as to avoid any form of operational interference between both organisations.
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