Abuja: The Association for Public Policy Analysis (APAA) and other stakeholders have called for increased funding and improved legislation to bolster safety standards in the electricity sector. Mr. Princewill Okorie, the National President of APAA, made the call at the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Safety Strategic Workshop in Abuja. The workshop was organised by APAA in collaboration with the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) and the Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Okorie emphasised the urgent need for funding to enable electrical technicians to acquire better training and obtain the mandatory Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) electrical installation competency certificates. He highlighted that the lack of funding for technicians to obtain these certificates was creating room for the increase of unqualified electrical installers in the country, against the NEMSA Act of 2015 which criminalises such practices.
‘The effort of NEMSA in enforcing this law is hampered by the challenges of funding,’ Okorie stated. He suggested that the National Assembly should make appropriations for the empowerment of electrical technicians to enable them to acquire better training and become legally recognised electrical installation entrepreneurs. This, he argued, would allow them to train other youths and carry out installations safely and to standard.
Okorie also pointed out that research indicates approximately 88,090 electrical installers in the country lack competency certificates, posing a significant danger that needs addressing. He called for strengthened procurement processes for electricity contracts, advocating for transparency, professionalism, and a focus on capacity, and criticised the practice of awarding contracts based on political or family connections.
Mr. Samuel Dangana, Chairman of the occasion and Chief Operating Officer of Meter and Instruments Ltd, described compliance with safety standards as essential for the safety of lives, infrastructure, and investor confidence. He noted that insufficient funding and misappropriation of funds have crippled the enforcement of safety measures. Dangana proposed a multi-stakeholder coalition to address these issues, urging government prioritisation of budgetary allocations, private sector co-investment in training and compliance systems, and accountability from civil society and the media.
Dangana suggested a dedicated, transparent safety enforcement fund within the national electricity regulatory framework and the use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to co-fund safety audits. He also recommended investment in digital tools for real-time monitoring and a ring-fenced budget for staff training, safety equipment, and public awareness campaigns. He emphasised the need for procurement agencies to ensure compliance with performance-based disbursement and for regulatory bodies to tighten enforcement and offer financial incentives for compliance.
In addition, Ekere Etim, National President of AICAN, called for electrification contracts to be awarded only to NEMSA-certified contractors. Mr. Jackson Nwosu, National President of LECAN, urged relevant institutions, CSOs, development partners, and the media to advocate for transparency and accountability in the funding and implementation of electricity projects.
At the conclusion of the workshop, a National Electricity Safety Advocacy Support Committee was established with members from various stakeholders, aiming to enhance safety standards in the electricity sector.
