• Begins nationwide exercise
In a renewed bid to ensure standard and safety in the power sector, uncertified contractors have been shown the red card by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Raji Fashola.
Penalties in the event of breaches were clearly spelt out by Fashola.
This would include non-compliance with guidelines and procedures listed as preconditions for the issuance of electrical installations’ competency certificate
As part of measures to enforce the ban, government yesterday began the National Certification of Electrical Installations Contractors in the country.
The minister said government has begun the issuance of the competency certificates, which would involve other allied industries and workplaces, in line with international practices.
He said by introducing certification as a core component of the power industry, government has proved its readiness in implementing relevant legal instruments in this regard.
The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), which coordinates the revalidation and certification scheme, explained that the aim is to stamp out quacks and unqualified electrical contractors and bad electrical installations.
Represented by the Minister of State (Power), Mustapha Shehuri, the minister said: “Arising from the provisions of the NEMSA Act, it has become expedient to ensure the certification of operators.”
According to him: “The overall objective of the certification is to ensure that only skilled, experienced and competent professionals engage in the business of electrical installation works in the country.
“The role of NEMSA, therefore, becomes critical in dealing with the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), which is to stamp out sharp and unethical practices hitherto engaged in by uncertified electrical installation contractors.”
The minister stressed: “This will guarantee safety, security, reliability and quality of service at all points of the electrical supply value chain. The task of sanitising the industry in terms of safety and standards, would therefore be a collective responsibility of stakeholders, with NEMSA driving the process.”
While calling on Nigerians to insist on the best quality, he said, “The era of substandard products and the period of ‘managing’ electrical installations are gone for good.”
Managing Director of NEMSA, Peter Ewesor, explained that the certification would be through oral and written tests.
“Their activities are to be closely monitored to ensure compliance with technical standard and regulations at all times. This would check quackery and indulgence in sharp practices that may lead to electrical accidents.”
He identified some common accidents as, electrocution and the outbreak of fire, which annually result in the loss of lives and properly worth billions of naira.
Ewesor further explained: “For effective enforcement and easy monitoring, contractors and personnel working in the industry and other workplaces in Nigeria, would be mandated to have the nameplate of their details visibly displayed.
