The National Assembly has announced plans to amend the 2023 Electricity Act in order to solidify the role of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) as the sole regulator for enforcing technical standards and safety regulations in the country’s power sector.
Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, disclosed the proposed amendments during the fourth edition of the Stakeholders Roundtable for the Enforcement of Technical Standards, Regulations, and Mandates, held on Tuesday in Abuja.
He revealed that the amended Act would explicitly prevent states from enforcing technical standards in the power sector, a responsibility currently vested in NEMSA under federal law.
The 2023 Electricity Act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu last year, replaced the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005.
It facilitated the de-monopolization of Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, granting states, companies, and individuals the ability to operate electricity generation plants and mini-grids.
However, some states have taken it upon themselves to establish their own technical and safety standards, which contradicts the provisions of the Act.
Senator Abaribe stressed that a unified national framework was essential to avoid conflicts and confusion, warning that allowing states to set their own standards could lead to further challenges, including safety risks and a lack of consistency.
He emphasized that NEMSA should be the sole authority in regulating and enforcing technical standards for electricity in the country.
“We need to make it very clear in the law that NEMSA will be in charge of setting and enforcing standards across the entire country.
States cannot be allowed to set their own standards, as this will only create confusion and jeopardize safety in the power sector,” Abaribe explained.
The proposed amendments come as part of ongoing efforts to address the challenges in the Nigerian power sector, particularly the use of substandard electrical equipment, which has been a major factor contributing to frequent grid collapses.
Abaribe also called for stronger collaboration between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to ensure effective enforcement of safety standards in the industry.
In his remarks, Aliyu Tahir, the Managing Director of NEMSA, underscored the agency’s critical role in enforcing technical standards and ensuring the safety of electrical installations in Nigeria.
He noted that substandard electrical materials and inadequate enforcement of regulations were major issues affecting the country’s power infrastructure.
“The safety of lives and property is paramount, and NEMSA’s mission is to ensure that electrical materials and installations meet the required quality standards to provide safe and sustainable electricity across Nigeria,” Tahir stated.
The event also featured discussions on the importance of legislative and judicial oversight in shaping and upholding regulatory frameworks for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
It was emphasized that all stakeholders, including contractors, operators, and customers, must support NEMSA in its mission to maintain high safety standards and reduce the use of substandard materials.
Senator Abaribe concluded by pledging the National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring that the amended law would address existing gaps, with a focus on creating a clear and enforceable regulatory framework for the electricity sector.