The House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations has raised concerns over safety issues and the use of substandard equipment in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
Chairman of the committee, Dr. Suleiman Abubakar Gumi, emphasized the House’s commitment to ensuring that the laws regulating safety in the sector were strictly enforced.
In line with this, Gumi announced that the committee, in collaboration with the Association for Public Policy Analysis, would host a conference to address safety challenges in the industry.
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According to him, the committee has identified the power sector as a crucial area where safety standards and regulatory policies must be rigorously observed for effective legislative action.
“The Federal Government has committed to improving safety standards and regulations in the electricity sector by enacting laws and establishing institutions to coordinate, implement, and enforce these regulations.
“The aim is to ensure that electricity service delivery in the country is safe, secure, and of high quality, preventing the loss of lives and property. It is also intended to reduce incidents such as electrical accidents, electrocutions, malfunctioning electricity networks and grids, theft, vandalism, and other related issues,” Gumi said.
Despite government’s efforts to create laws, establish regulatory policies, and set up institutions with guidelines, codes, and rules for operators, challenges persist. These include:
– Vandalism
– Theft
– Installation of electricity by non-licensed electricians
– Production, marketing, and use of substandard electrical materials
Dr. Gumi further explained that the upcoming conference will serve as a platform to strengthen the Committee’s ability to fulfill its constitutional duties of oversight and investigation.
