In a significant move towards restructuring Nigeria’s power sector, the Electricity Act 2023 has been enacted, mandating the federal government to craft a national electricity policy and a strategic implementation plan.
The legislation, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 9, empowers states, companies, and individuals to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity.
This development marks a departure from the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSR A), 2005, providing a more comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this information during a roundtable discussion at the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency’s (NEMSA) event in Abuja.
The event focused on enforcing technical standards and regulations in NESI and allied industries.
Adelabu highlighted that the ministry is actively collaborating with the national council on power to present the national electricity policy to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.
The Electricity Act consolidates existing legislation in NESI, strengthening NEMSA’s role as the principal enforcer of statutory technical and regulatory standards to ensure safety and property protection.
The minister commended NEMSA for organizing the roundtable, emphasizing its timeliness and relevance.
He acknowledged the pivotal role played by the legislature and the judiciary in the recent NESI reforms initiated by the Fifth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the re-enactment of the Electricity Act, 2023.
Adelabu also highlighted that several states have enacted their electricity laws, commending the legislature for its commitment to enacting statutes that positively impact citizens’ lives.
He assured that the ministry, under his leadership, is dedicated to collaborating with state governments to maintain high standards across the board and ensure reforms are undertaken without regulatory disruption.
Representing the House committee on power, Rep. Victor Okolo stressed the importance of ensuring all electrical installations in NESI meet the required technical standards, regulations, and specifications.
He pledged legislative support, emphasizing the need for NEMSA to receive adequate funding and support to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
Aliyu Tahir, the managing director of NEMSA, emphasized the critical role of technical standards and regulations in managing the growth of the electricity industry.
He highlighted NEMSA’s mandate of enforcement and its plans to open meter test stations in other geopolitical zones, urging collaboration with the legislative and judicial arms for effective implementation.
Source: Peoples Gazette