Minister warns Nigerians against engaging unlicensed electrical personnel

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has strongly advised Nigerians to only engage the services of licensed electrical personnel and certified electrical contractors or electrical repairs.

This practice, Adelabu said was essential in preventing electrical accidents and mitigating related issues that could pose significant risks to public safety and infrastructure integrity.

He gave this advice at a two-day Electricity Supply Industry Safety Conference 2024 organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations in collaboration with the Association for Public Policy Analysis on Thursday in Abuja.

The minister, represented at the occasion by the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, Aliyu Tahir, said the caution had become necessary in order to avoid frequent electrical accidents and other associated hazards.

He said, “As we all know; safety is not just a priority; it is a core value. We must always put the well-being of our colleagues, customers, and the community first. Our industry is governed by strict standards and regulations. Compliance is not optional; it is mandatory.

“Electricity, as we all know, is very useful to human life and is key to the economic development and growth of any nation. However, its use is associated with hazards and risks. Therefore, if the electrical systems are not properly planned, executed, maintained and utilised in line with the standards and extant regulations, a terrible price is paid in terms of injury and equipment damage, downtime, etc.

“Adherence to technical standards and specifications in the design, construction, operations and maintenance are therefore necessary as they are key to the effective, efficient and safe use of this very important utility.

“One of the core activities carried out by the Federal Ministry of Power through the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency is the certification of electrical installations practitioners/personnel to ensure they have the skills and competence before they are allowed to carry out any electrical installation work in the country.”

He added, “The certified personnel are expected to always use the right quality and standard electrical material and equipment in the installation and construction works handled by them; constantly adhere to the approved standards construction and installation practices; constantly adhere to safety provision during construction/installation works and subsequent maintenance of the installations; as well as constantly adhere to procedures and requirements for executing electricity projects as specified by extant regulations, standards, and codes of practice.

“They are equally expected to ensure that all electrical installation works carried out are subjected to statutory inspection, testing and certification by NEMSA before they are put to use.”

Last year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signed into law the Electricity Act – 2023 which provides amongst other things; the legal instruments for enforcement of technical standards and regulations, safety standards, inspection, testing and certification along the power value chain of generation, transmission, distribution and utilisation (homes, offices, commercial premises, factories, etc.) inclusive.

These provisions, the minister said, are put in place to guide the planning, designing, construction, maintenance and use of electricity power supply in general, and all categories of electrical installations and projects.

According to the Minister, the enforcement of technical standards and regulations, inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical installations is a very crucial aspect of ensuring standardisation, uniformity, quality and reliability of power systems put in place, as well as for safety in the sector

He further stated that this will also curb the electrical accidents, electrocutions, and system disturbances witnessed in the power sector in recent times.

“Permit me to also add that the frequency and degree of electrical incidents in the NESI and other allied industries/workplaces will be greatly reduced to the barest minimum if industry workers and electrical users adhere to safety standards and extant Technical Regulations as well as Health, Safety & Environment measures in general.

“Also factors such as regular updates of safety standards and regulations, conduct of thorough electrical inspections, provision of adequate safety training and awareness programs, safety reporting and incident investigation, emergency preparedness and response, regular maintenance and inspections, fostering a culture of safety and compliance and collaboration with industry peers and regulators are to be encouraged and imbibed by all stakeholders for an enduring and safe NESI,” the Minister added.

The event organised to enhance safety measures in the sector was attended by the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who represented the Speaker, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Engr. David Idris Zacharia, Chairman, House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, other members of the National Assembly, chief executives of agencies under the federal ministry of power and other stakeholders.