The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Ondo State Government have initiated a new collaborative project aimed at enhancing the technical standardisation, inspection, and testing of electrical installations and equipment within the state. This initiative was officially announced through a statement by NEMSA’s Head of Communications and Protocol, Mrs. Ama Umoren, following a virtual meeting held on Monday that brought together officials from both organisations. The collaboration is a significant step towards ensuring a more robust and reliable electrical infrastructure in Ondo State and aligns with NEMSA’s broader mandate of enforcing safety and technical standards across Nigeria’s electricity supply industry.
NEMSA, operating under the NEMSA Act of 2015—now incorporated into the Electricity Act of 2023—holds the responsibility for enforcing technical standards and regulations that guarantee safe and reliable electricity supply within Nigeria. This agency plays a crucial role in inspecting and certifying electrical installations and equipment to protect lives and property from potential hazards associated with electrical systems. The emphasis on safety and reliability has never been more urgent, given the increasing demand for electricity and the corresponding rise in the complexity of electrical installations throughout the country.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of NEMSA, Aliyu Tahir, stressed the significance of this partnership, asserting that it is a meaningful development in fostering cooperative relations between a federal agency and a state government. He underscored that the collaboration is especially vital for standardising electrical installations and ensuring safety across Ondo State. The integration of technical standards into the state’s electrical infrastructure is crucial, given the endemic challenges related to power supply and safety issues that have plagued Nigeria’s electricity sector for years.
In parallel, the Ondo StateGovernment’s delegation, headed by Tunji Light, expressed gratitude for the partnership on behalf of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Light articulated the belief that this collaborative effort would culminate in a significant enhancement of safety measures for both lives and property within the state. He brought attention to ongoing projects in Ondo that necessitate close cooperation with NEMSA, emphasizing the dedication of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau to work effectively with the agency to facilitate this partnership.
In pursuit of formalising their cooperation, Light proposed the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would not only encapsulate this partnership but could also serve as a leading framework for collaboration between other state governments and NEMSA. Tahir acknowledged this suggestion, expressing optimism that the partnership would yield substantial improvements in the power sector, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency. This strategic move signals a proactive approach towards tackling existing inefficiencies in the state’s electrical systems.
The meeting culminated in a commitment to establish a joint team comprising members from both NEMSA and the Ondo State government, tasked with identifying potential collaboration areas. With this partnership, Tahir concluded that NEMSA aims to foster improved electricity management in Ondo State, thereby striving to ensure the provision of safe and reliable power to all residents. This initiative marks a significant milestone towards addressing the critical issues of reliability and safety in Nigeria’s electricity supply while inspiring similar collaborations among other states.
