FG Reads Riot Act to Certified Electrical Contractors

…….Our Safety will not be compromised – Fashola

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has read out the government resolve to stamp out sharp and unethical practices which had hitherto characterized the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), stressing that henceforth only certified, suitably qualified electrical installation contractors are to operate in Nigeria as it is now mandatory that only those issued with graded licences by Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) will be allowed to practice in the system.

The Minister who was represented by the Minister of State, Mustapha Baba Shehuri at the flag – off event for the revalidation certification of contractors, the Minister bemoaned the fact that before the creation of NEMSA, the industry has been bedeviled with unprofessionalism and quackery this has led to spate of electrical electrocutions and untimely deaths.

The main objective of the certification exercise is to ensure that only skilled, experienced and competent professionals engage in the business of electrical installation work in the country.

Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, (NEMSA) as regulator is critical to the survival of the industry and the attainment of government’s planned incremental, stable and uninterrupted power supply, as it would do all it can in ensuring network stability which could be aggravated by poor workmanship, construction and installation of power networks.

“Our safety will not be compromised, as government will sanction defaulters as we do not wish to loose lives of our citizens anymore, so also the loss of properties, due to someone’s negligence and poor judgment”.

Furthermore, the Minister said that having their certificates or licenses withdrawn would not be enough punishment for culprits as they will face the full wrath of the law which stipulates prosecution for criminal misconducts for erring contractors.

The Minister reiterated that government is committed to ensuring through NEMSA, that electrical installations are safe and certified so also other work places in Nigeria, adding that this will go a long way in generating stable network, quality electrical installation in residential, Commercial and industrial premises. Also, the power sector is poised to deliver safe regular and uninterrupted power supply, thereby ensuring safety of lives and property at all times.

Earlier, Eng. Peter Ewesor, the Managing Director/ CEO of NEMSA going down the memory lane, said this certification was formerly known as Electrical Wiring Licence issued only to qualified electrical installation wire-men and contractors on the premise that safety would be ensured, this practice had it draw-backs, which resulted in fire outbreaks on buildings due mainly to weak compliance monitoring.

This has put more responsibility on NEMSA in line with its slogan “safety first, safety always” and with improved manpower availability and spread of electrical inspectorate officers in today’s power sector, it is now more compelling for the regulatory body to check these lapses largely responsible for state of disrepair.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries–Licenced Electrical Contractors’ Association of Nigeria, (LECAN), Otunba Dele Adetola promised Government that members of his association will make judicious use of the licence issued to them, saying that they would contribute their quota to uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians as planned by Government.

Timothy Oyedeji
Director, (Press)