POWER SECTOR: NEMSA Inaugurates Zonal Electrical Installation Contractor Certification Panel

–       NEMSA Boss promises to close the gaps on power sector lapses

With the inauguration of Electrical Installation Contractors Certification Panel at 16 Zonal offices across the country, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA’s helmsman, Engr. Peter Ewesor has assured Nigerians that the goal of his agency is to stamp out quacks/unqualified electrical installation contractors and bad electrical installations in the country.

Speaking, recently at the inauguration of the Abuja panelists, he recalled, a forth night ago also in Abuja, that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN had  flagged – off the National Certification of Electrical Contractors in Nigeria, under the aegis of License Electrical Contractors – LECAN, this event is a follow – up to that exercise.

He said the inauguration is to ensure that standards are adhere to, stressing that the panel must ensure that no compromise is entertained in the discharge of their assignments.

He challenged the panelists to identify lapses in the power sector, insisting that all places where electricity is in use must have the installation done by experts, absence of which can result in unstable networks and fire incidences.

         Engr. Ewesor enjoined the panelists to comply with design format, should not engage in improper planning and execution of electrical projects, stressing that the  use of sub-standard materials, equipment, lack of adherence to over sight procedure and code of practice, to mention but a few, should not be mark of a qualified and professional electrical contractor.

          He thus sets the Agenda for the discharge of assignment, to include the fact that the panelists must ensure only competent, certified contractors are registered. This he said informed bringing them on – board, Nigerian Engineers and Technologists to constitute panel experts as they are the ones to determine the professional competence of people who are capable of providing electricity services in the safest manner.

         The generically constituted panel, to be based in the 16 Zonal Areas Offices is made up of Representatives of Works and Housing Sector, Standards Organization, (SON) DISCOs, GENCOs, TCN, NSE, COREN, Labour and Employment, and an observer from the Agency’s Headquarters.

         The National Certification Programme, by law has provision for sanctions, as a defaulter is to pay a fine of N500, 000 or 3 months imprisonment or both. This position is contained in the NEMSA’s enabling law.  

         Engr. Ibrahim Haruna, Certification Co- ordination, NEMSA, who spoke after the inauguration assured NEMSA boss that the panel will carry out its assignment in line with strict professionalism expected of them, adding that they will perform without fear or favour.

He also promised NEMSA that, the panel would justify the confidence reposed on them in the discharge of this national assignment.

Earlier, Executive Director, Technical Services (NEMSA) Engr. Tukur Gidado, had reiterated the importance of technical expertise in ensuring that the cardinal objective of the electricity industry is that which electrical contractors must consider the importance of safety of electrical installations at home, commercial and industrial premises.

Timothy Oyedeji

Director (Press)