Nigeria Will Not Compromise on Power Sector Safety, Lawmaker Declares
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Sulaiman Gumi, has issued a stark warning to operators in Nigeria’s power sector, asserting that public safety will not be compromised for any reason. Addressing attendees at the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry Safety Conference held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Tuesday, Gumi expressed concern over the ongoing safety challenges in the industry despite the federal government’s sustained efforts to improve standards.
During his remarks, Gumi identified vandalism, theft, and the installation of electrical systems by unlicensed professionals as major threats to safety in Nigeria’s power sector. Additionally, the production, marketing, and use of substandard electrical materials have continued to undermine efforts to maintain a secure and reliable electricity supply across the country.
“We cannot compromise safety,” Gumi stressed. “The committee has identified the power sector as critical, and it is essential that its safety standards and regulatory policies are strictly observed for effective legislative action.”
According to the lawmaker, the Federal Government has committed itself to enhancing safety standards within the electricity sector by instituting laws, policies, and agencies designed to coordinate and enforce regulations. These efforts, he said, aim to ensure that electricity services are delivered safely, with minimal risk to lives and property.
However, Gumi lamented that, despite these measures, the sector continues to grapple with incidents such as electrocutions, electrical accidents, and damage to electricity grids due to vandalism and theft. He noted that the persistence of these issues highlights the need for a more robust enforcement of existing regulations.
“Despite the government’s efforts to create laws, set up regulatory frameworks, and provide guidelines that operators in the sector should abide by, these problems still exist,” Gumi said, underscoring the magnitude of the safety challenges the sector faces.
The conference, which brought together industry stakeholders, was seen as a platform to explore prospects and propose solutions to these ongoing challenges. Gumi explained that the event would help lay the groundwork for the committee to carry out its oversight and investigative duties, as mandated by Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Experts at the conference were tasked with exploring avenues to improve the skills and training of those responsible for installing and maintaining electrical infrastructure. By enhancing capacity-building measures within the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the sector could ensure better compliance with safety standards, Gumi added.
“The conference is designed to build synergy among stakeholders and foster a collective approach to combat the issues of substandard electrical materials and the rise of unqualified installers within the power sector,” he said.
A key focus of the event was on addressing the importation of substandard solar systems and materials, which are critical to the execution of renewable energy projects. Gumi emphasized that developing a comprehensive framework for renewable energy safety standards and regulations would be crucial for the future of Nigeria’s energy transition and its climate change commitments.
The conference also sought to examine the links between electricity safety standards, health, and construction policies across local, state, and federal levels, with the goal of creating a unified regulatory approach that ensures public safety.
In his closing remarks, Gumi reiterated the government’s determination to uphold safety in the power sector. “There is a need to prevent the occurrences of electrical accidents, electrocution, and the dysfunctionality of power networks. We must ensure that every Nigerian has access to electricity in a manner that is safe, secure, and of high quality,” he concluded.
