The Federal Government has announced significant
strides in enhancing accountability and efficiency in the electricity sector,
including the imminent establishment of an electricity offences
tribunal and the calibration of over 2.6 million meters nationwide.
In a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday,
the Managing Director of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency
(NEMSA), Aliyu Tahir, outlined these developments aimed at bolstering
regulatory oversight and combating electricity-related offences.
Tahir disclosed that NEMSA, established in 2015,
has tested and calibrated a total of 2,655,488 electricity meters as of the first
quarter of 2024. This effort is part of ongoing initiatives to ensure the
functionality, durability, and safety of meters used by consumers across the
country.
Highlighting the agency’s broader mandate, Tahir
noted that NEMSA had conducted inspections on 21,681 electricity installation
projects, certifying 13,154 installations for compliance with safety and
operational standards.
Additionally, the agency has monitored 16,624
electricity networks and inspected 4,921 factories, hazardous installations,
and public places to ensure electrical safety.
Regarding regulatory enforcement, Tahir
emphasized the imminent establishment of an electricity offences
tribunal. This tribunal, empowered by the Electricity Act 2023, aims to
expedite the prosecution of electricity-related offences
through an in-built appeal system.
Tahir underscored the tribunal's role in swiftly
addressing issues such as electricity theft and ensuring stringent enforcement
of regulatory measures.
“We are working on the establishment of an electricity offences tribunal with an in-built appeal system for faster
dispensation of electricity-related offences. It is to vest NEMSA in-house counsel with powers
to prosecute electricity offences,” Tahir stated during the briefing.
He further elaborated on the tribunal's potential impact,
stating, “The establishment of this tribunal will significantly enhance our
enforcement capabilities.
It
will streamline the process of prosecuting offenders and imposing sanctions,
particularly for violations related to electricity theft.”
Tahir confirmed that NEMSA had engaged with the
National Assembly to integrate provisions for the tribunal into the Electricity
Act, thereby strengthening the legal framework for regulatory enforcement
within the power sector.
In conclusion, the initiatives announced by
NEMSA reflect the government's commitment to improving service delivery,
transparency, and accountability in the electricity sector, ensuring that
consumers benefit from reliable and safe electrical services across Nigeria.
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