From James Ojo, Abuja
Twenty One companies moulding electricity concrete poles have failed integrity safety test of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency ( NEMSA).
NEMSA is the agency saddled with the responsibilities of enforcing technical standards and regulations, technical inspection, testing and certification of all electrical installations, electrical meters and instruments for safety of lives and property in the power sector.
its Managing Director/CEO, Peter Ewesor, stated that in carrying out the agency’s mandate, 63 electrical concrete pole manufacturing facilities were visited across the country.
Ewesor, in an executive summary released to commence his second term, said that the visit was to assess the level of compliance with safety and professional standards.
At the end of the inspection, 42 companies were found to have adhered to specifications in the standards code, while 21 companies failed to meet up.
The summary, however, did not disclose the sanctions awaiting the companies that failed the safety test. Ewesor stated that the issue of standardisation of equipment and materials to ensure safety and quality services would be tackled headlong.
“Existence of quackery and standardisation of materials and equipment are the major problems plaguing the sector. These have led to many unfortunate incidences of electrical accidents and electrocutions,” he lamented.
The agency also monitored and evaluated 2,699 existing networks and power systems, out of which 618 were resolved and 2,081 outstanding.
Also inspected and tested were 5,037 new power projects and electrical installations along the power supply chain and utilisation out of which 4,138 were certified for use, while 899 awaiting rectification of observed defects.
NEMSA investigated 94 electrical accidents and electrocutions, and revalidated 568 Electric installation contractors’ licences.