- The briefing was held ahead of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry Safety Conference 2024
The House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations has announced plans to tighten safety measures in Nigeria’s electricity industry, aiming to address persistent safety challenges.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the committee’s Chairman, Dr. Sulaiman Gumi, emphasised the importance of stricter regulations to safeguard lives and property.
The briefing was held ahead of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry Safety Conference 2024, where the committee will discuss solutions to safety violations in the sector.
Gumi highlighted the committee’s constitutional role in overseeing the effective implementation of safety laws. He pointed to ongoing issues such as vandalism, theft, and the use of substandard materials, which have caused financial losses and numerous electrical accidents.
“Despite the government’s efforts in creating laws and regulatory policies, problems still persist,” Gumi noted, adding that the Electricity Act 2023 gives the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) the authority to enforce safety standards in the industry.
He also called for collaboration among government agencies, such as the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, to enforce safety rules and ensure compliance. Gumi urged the media to raise public awareness about the importance of adhering to safety regulations in the electricity sector.