Abuja (Nigeria) – The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has read out the government resolve to stamp out unethical practices which are hitherto characterized in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), stressing that henceforth only certified and qualified electrical installation contractors are to operate in Nigeria.
He also stressed that, it is only those issued with graded licenses by Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) will be allowed to practice in the system.
A statement by spokesperson of the Ministry, Timothy Oyedeji, noted that, the Minister who was represented by the Minister of State, Mustapha Baba Shehuri at the flag – off event for the revalidation certification of contractors, lamented that, before the creation of NEMSA, the industry has been bedeviled with unprofessionalism and quackery which has led to spate of electrocutions and untimely deaths.
“Our safety will not be compromised, as government will sanction defaulters as we do not wish to lose lives of our citizens anymore, so also the loss of properties, due to someone’s negligence and poor judgment”.
The Minister also said that, having their certificates or licenses withdrawn would not be enough punishment for culprits as they will face the full wrath of the law which stipulates prosecution for criminal misconducts for erring contractors.
He however reiterated the federal government commitment to ensuring through NEMSA, that electrical installations are safe and certified so also other work places in Nigeria, adding that this will go a long way in generating stable network, quality electrical installation in residential, Commercial and industrial premises.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries–Licenced Electrical Contractors’ Association of Nigeria, (LECAN), Otunba Dele Adetola promised Government that members of his association will make judicious use of the licence issued to them, saying that they would contribute their quota to uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians as planned by Government.
The main objective of the certification exercise is to ensure that only skilled, experienced and competent professionals engage in the business of electrical installation work in the country.
Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, (NEMSA) as regulator is critical to the survival of the industry and the attainment of government’s planned incremental, stable and uninterrupted power supply, as it would do all it can in ensuring network stability which could be aggravated by poor workmanship, construction and installation of power networks.
