CEM REPORT | Stakeholders in the power sector has urged government at all levels and private organizations to use only licensed contractors for the sake of safety in the power sector.
This was the submission at a recent two-day National Workshop workshop which was jointly organised by the Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) and Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA) held in Asaba, Delta.
Speaking at the workshop with a theme, “Enforcing Safety Standards in Power Sector: The Role of Stakeholders, LECAN National President, Dr John Etim, said that giving the challenges occasioned by fake and substandard electrical materials and the attendant casualties in the power sector, the workshop was timely and the theme apt.
Central to the workshop, according to Etim, is the pressing need to save lives and property of Nigerians occasioned by fire outbreaks due to use of substandard electrical materials and the engagement of quarks in the power sector.
“This informed the need by stakeholders to enable them come up with solutions and action plans that are implementable to promote safety standards in the Nigeria electricity supply industry”.
According NAN report, Etim stressed the need for collaboration among the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), APPA, LECAN, Electrical Cable Companies and the governments to enhance safety standards in the sector and ensure that consumers get value for their money and live on safety. He therefore called for the full enforcement of NEMSA Act of 2015 which provided criteria for certification of electrical contractors in Nigeria.
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He added that government at all levels must resist the temptation of awarding contracts to any contractor not certified by the Agency.
According to Etim, LECAN is a professional association in the power industry comparable to other associations in the Legal Profession, Medical Associations. In this regard, non-members must not be allowed to practice if the carnage, hazards and fire disaster in the power industry must end.
“LECAN must be encouraged to ensure firm regulation since electricity is a life threatening venture”, He said.
APPA National President, Mr Princewill Okorie, further emphasized the need for the workshop. He lamented the level of ignorance that had trailed stakeholders in the sector and urged for government proactive measures to create awareness to stem hazards in the sector. He noted that if the consumers, the contractors, power companies and the electric cable companies get the right information, it would help to ameliorate the casualties in the sector, hence the workshop.
Production and importation of fake and substandard wires and cables have been traced to fire incidences that have resulted in fatalities and colossal losses both to public, private organizations and individuals. Responsible society shouldn’t be reminded to hold in high regard whatever measures to guarantee safety of citizens and properties
In a goodwill message, Mr Edwin Eyenanotu, Deputy Director, Delta State Ministry of Power and Energy, assured the group of state government support to ensure safety in the sector
He also urged the participants to come up with workable plan of actions.
“This workshop is timely, and if the purpose is harnessed and fully implemented, many lives will be saved and reduce costs doing business.
“As contracts would be given to professional and who will use the right materials instead,” he said.
