Proposed changes to centralize enforcement of technical standards in the power sector
The National Assembly has announced plans to amend the 2023 Electricity Act to designate the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) as the sole authority for enforcing technical standards and regulations in the power sector.
Speaking at the fourth Stakeholders Roundtable on technical standards enforcement held in Abuja, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, emphasized the need for a unified regulatory framework. He pointed out that the current law does not allow states to enforce technical standards, a provision that will be explicitly clarified in the proposed amendment.
“The national assembly wants improvements in the power sector, and no Nigerian is happy with the state of electricity as it is,” Abaribe said.
Key Points from the Roundtable
Abaribe highlighted that some states have attempted to establish their own technical and safety standards, creating conflicts with NEMSA’s federal mandate. He stated that amending the law would prevent such actions and ensure consistent standards nationwide.
“There is nowhere in the current law that gives states the right to enforce electrical standards. We need to explicitly state in the law that NEMSA, like the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, will oversee safety and technical standards at the federal level,” he explained.
The Senator acknowledged that decentralization of electricity regulatory responsibilities, as outlined in the 2023 Electricity Act and the amended 1999 Constitution, presents challenges for NEMSA in managing enforcement at sub-national levels.
To address this, Abaribe proposed stricter oversight and collaborative efforts between NEMSA, the Standards Organization of Nigeria, and other stakeholders to ensure compliance and tackle the use of substandard electrical materials.
NEMSA’s Commitment
In his welcome remarks, NEMSA Managing Director, Aliyu Tahir, reiterated the agency’s core mission: enforcing technical standards, inspecting electrical installations, and ensuring public safety.
“Our goal is to ensure that electrical materials and installations meet the required quality and safety standards for sustainable electricity delivery in Nigeria,” Tahir stated.
He called for legislative and judicial support to address legal and regulatory challenges that hinder progress in the sector.
“The safety of lives and property within grid and off-grid networks depends on strict adherence to technical standards,” he noted.
Background on the 2023 Electricity Act
The 2023 Electricity Act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, replaced the 2005 Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act. It introduced significant reforms, including the de-monopolization of power generation, transmission, and distribution, and allowed states, companies, and individuals to participate in the electricity market.
However, conflicts have arisen where states sought to implement their own technical standards, prompting the need for legal amendments to establish NEMSA as the central authority.
