National Assembly Plans to Amend 2023 Electricity Act to Strengthen Regulatory Standards in Power Sector

The National Assembly is set to make significant changes to the 2023 Electricity Act, with plans to designate the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) as the sole regulatory body responsible for enforcing technical standards and regulations in the power sector. This announcement was made by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Eyinnaya Abaribe, during the Stakeholders Roundtable for the Enforcement of Technical Standards, Regulations, and Mandates in Abuja.

The 2023 Electricity Act, which was signed into law last year by President Bola Tinubu, aimed to decentralize Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, allowing states, companies, and individuals to participate in the sector. However, some states have been enforcing technical standards in NEMSA’s jurisdiction, contrary to the law.

Abaribe emphasized the need for federal law to take precedence over state regulations in the power sector to prevent inconsistencies in technical standards. He highlighted the importance of a unified standard for safety and efficiency in the electricity industry, with NEMSA playing a crucial role in enforcing these standards.

The decentralization of regulatory responsibilities in the electricity sector has posed challenges for NEMSA, and Abaribe stressed the importance of clarifying the agency’s authority in enforcing technical standards. He called for support from stakeholders to ensure NEMSA can effectively carry out its mandate of ensuring electrical safety and standards in Nigeria.

The Managing Director of NEMSA, Aliyu Tahir, underscored the agency’s commitment to upholding technical standards and ensuring the safety of lives and property in the electricity supply industry. He emphasized the role of legislative and judicial oversight in shaping regulatory frameworks and called for collaboration from all stakeholders to address challenges in the sector.

Overall, the proposed amendments to the 2023 Electricity Act aim to streamline regulatory enforcement and ensure a consistent standard of safety and quality in the power sector. The National Assembly and NEMSA are working together to create a safer and more reliable electricity industry for all Nigerians.