NEMSA Rallies Nationwide Support for Safe Electricity Usage
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has embarked on a sensitisation programme to ensure safe practices in the usage of electricity in Abuja and the nation.
The agency, which is saddled with the enforcement of technical standards and regulations in the power sector, during one of the visits, said it was part of its commitments to ensuring electrical safety across Nigeria, driven by regulations and public awareness campaigns.
Managing Director of NEMSA, Aliyu Tahir, who led a team to visit the palace of the Sa’karuyi of Karu, Joseph Danfulani, said that the meeting was necessary to discuss critical initiatives and rally community support.
“Electricity powers every aspect of our lives, from transportation to cooking. However, it also comes with risks, including electric shocks and fires,” Tahir stated, emphasising the need for public vigilance and adherence to safety standards.
He detailed how the agency’s engineers ensure compliance with rigorous technical standards nationwide, overseeing everything from residential wiring to transformer installations.
This diligence, he said, is aimed at preventing power supply disturbances and safeguarding lives and property.
“Our mission is to make every Nigerian home and business a safe environment. This starts with community engagement, regulatory enforcement, and the commitment of every consumer to prioritise safety,” he stated.
As part of NEMSA’s public sensitisation programme, Tahir explained that the agency was seeking to educate the community on three main areas: safe electricity usage, proper metering, and the importance of certified installations.
“To ensure safe usage, we have developed technical regulations and standards that guide everything from wiring and transformer installations to circuit placement in homes.
“ But developing these standards is only part of the job—enforcing them is critical to ensure safe, reliable, and sustainable electricity. Our engineers work across the country, conducting inspections, testing, and certification to ensure full compliance before installations are allowed for use,” he assured.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Chijioke Okuwuokenye, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting NEMSA’s safety objectives, pledging to strengthen the partnership.
“In Jikowi, AEDC has built a strong rapport with the community, and we’re committed to making it a model of reliable power service in Abuja,” he remarked.
He acknowledged the essential role of collaboration between NEMSA and AEDC in boosting service quality and reliability.
In his remarks , NEMSA’s General Manager and Head of the Metering, Licensing, and Standards Department, Gideon Fatunmbi, underscored the critical importance of deployment of certified meters.
“Meters are like scales for farm produce; without them, fair billing would be impossible. NEMSA tests all meters in Nigeria to ensure they meet safety standards,” he explained.
He advised residents to look for the ‘NEMSA cream seal’ and ‘due date test label’ as markers of authenticity.
The NEMSA delegation stressed that certified professionals should handle all electrical installations, as uncertified work could lead to risks as severe as electrocution or fire.
Through ongoing collaboration and public outreach, NEMSA and AEDC said they aim to make safe electricity use a shared responsibility, empowering communities to contribute to safer, more reliable power infrastructure.
