NEMSA, LASERC collaborate on electrical safety, technical standards

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) to strengthen the enforcement of technical standards, enhance electrical safety, and support the development of a reliable and sustainable electricity market in Nigeria.

The MD/CEO of NEMSA and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Engineer Olusegun Adesayo, made the pledge while receiving LASERC’s management team, led by its MD/CEO, Mrs Temitope George, at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

Engineer Adesayo said Nigeria’s electricity sector has continued to evolve following the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023 and the increasing role of state electricity regulators in driving market development.

According to him, the engagement provided a valuable platform for both organisations to deepen institutional collaboration, share technical expertise, and develop practical frameworks for cooperation in electrical safety enforcement, technical inspections, compliance monitoring, metering standards, capacity building, and consumer protection.

The NEMSA boss added that stronger collaboration between the two organisations will improve compliance with technical regulations, boost investor and consumer confidence, and contribute to the delivery of a safer, more reliable, and sustainable electricity supply across Nigeria.

He commended LASERC for the significant progress it has made in establishing a robust regulatory framework for the Lagos State electricity market, reiterating that NEMSA remains the statutory agency responsible for enforcing technical standards and regulations relating to electrical installations, electricity meters, and other electrical equipment to safeguard lives, property, and critical national infrastructure.

He emphasised that achieving a safe, efficient, and resilient electricity sector requires sustained collaboration among regulators, operators, electricity licensees, and other key stakeholders.

Mrs George, while highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships in building a commercially viable and sustainable electricity market in Lagos State, said the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024, signed into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represents a major milestone in the state’s electricity reform agenda.

She said the legislation established LASERC, the Lagos Independent System Operator (LISO), and the Lagos State Electrification Agency to drive the development of a competitive, reliable, and sustainable electricity market.

While acknowledging NEMSA’s pivotal role under the Electricity Act 2023 as Nigeria’s designated authority for enforcing technical standards and ensuring compliance in electrical installations, metering systems, and safety regulations, the LASERC boss described Lagos as a strategic hub for electricity sector reform, adding that despite contributing nearly 30 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and having a population exceeding 20 million people, the state continues to face significant electricity supply challenges.

She proposed the establishment of a LASERC-NEMSA Technical Safety Partnership anchored on the Electricity Act 2023 and the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024, which she argued would focus on harmonising technical standards, developing joint inspection protocols, creating shared databases of certified electrical contractors, promoting public electrical safety awareness, strengthening mini-grid safety compliance, enhancing artisan professionalism, and improving consumer protection.

She also advocated for joint public enlightenment campaigns in English, Yoruba, and pidgin to educate consumers on electrical safety, overload prevention, safe installation practices, and the dangers of electricity theft and meter tampering.