The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to intensify nationwide monitoring, testing, and inspection of electrical installations to enhance safety, stability, and reliability across Nigeria’s power network.
In a statement signed by the Head of Communications and Protocol, Mrs. Ama Umoren, the Agency stated that, as Nigeria continues to attract both local and foreign investments in renewable energy, NEMSA has stepped up pre-energisation inspections of renewable energy installations across the country.
Mrs. Umoren disclosed that during a recent field operation, “NEMSA officials conducted technical inspections of the Afikpo 33kV feeder and the Nibo Injection Substation in Ebonyi State, where 31 critical defects were identified and reported for immediate correction.”
Following the exercise, NEMSA directed the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to urgently address the defects to avert potential hazards that could lead to loss of lives and property.
According to a report submitted to NEMSA Headquarters in Abuja by the Enugu Inspectorate Office, led by Mr. Osita Obiukwu, the defects included right-of-way violations, vegetation encroachment, broken cross-arms, and aged or undersized 33kV overhead conductors with multiple joints.
The report also noted that some overhead lines were routed over residential and commercial buildings, posing serious safety risks to the public.
Mrs. Umoren further emphasised that, in line with the Electricity Act 2023, NEMSA is mandated to enforce compliance with technical and safety standards in the construction, operation, and maintenance of power plants, transmission systems, distribution networks, and electrical installations nationwide.
She said that “the Agency also provides technical support services to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of electricity across the country.”
In a related development, NEMSA engineers, led by Armiyau Bello, have completed the testing and inspection of transformers in Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto States. The team inspected several substations, including:
- A 500kVA, 11/0.400kV community transformer at New Layout, Birnin Kebbi;
- A 300kVA, 11/0.400kV relief transformer at Barakallah Area, Gusau, Zamfara State; and
- A 300kVA, 11/0.400kV relief transformer at Arkila Area, Sokoto.
The inspections, Mrs. Umoren said, were aimed at ensuring that all installations comply with NEMSA’s technical standards before commissioning.
Similarly, the NEMSA National Meter Test Station (NMTS) in Port Harcourt has concluded the final phase of its bi-annual verification and calibration of meter-testing equipment under the supervision of NEMSA Headquarters.
The Head of NMTS Port Harcourt, Mr. Koproda Cyriacus, explained that “the exercise was essential to maintaining the precision and integrity of instruments used for testing and certifying electricity meters nationwide.”
He noted that similar calibration exercises are ongoing across other NEMSA test centers to ensure accuracy in electricity billing and strengthen consumer confidence in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).