Over 8,000 electricity installations inspected and tested by the Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency (NEMSA) failed compliance amid standardisation concerns in the country.
NEMSA said over 21,681 electricity installations projects were tested across the country and 13,154 scaled through for certification.
The organisation, briefing journalists, yesterday, in Abuja, disclosed that 2.6 million meters had been calibrated in the country, while about 4,921 factories, hazardous installations and public places were inspected, tested and certified .
According to the Managing Director of NEMSA, Aliyu Tukur, while compliance is improving in electrical installations in the country, the burden of non-compliance is still common.
Noting compliance failure as a rolling problem, Tukur disclosed that the new structures set up for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution by states require more work to avert substandard installations.
He called for investment by players in the power sector, to ensure that their facilities and materials comply with extant regulations.
Tukur stressed the need for the establishment of an Electricity Offences Tribunal with an appeal system for faster dispensation of electricity-related offences.
While urging technical regulation of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to apply multiplier levels, Tukur seeks an in-house counsel to prosecute offenders.
He called for amendment of some sections of the Electricity Act to allow the agency to properly play its roles.
Tukur explained, “Section 164 (c), which reads ‘issues of technical standards and certification procedures for technical personnel participating in renewable energy projects taking into cognisance the need to promote local skills and local requirements for renewable energy projects’ should be expunged. This conflicts with NEMSA’s mandate on the certification of electrical/technical personnel.”
