The Federal Government said that it was finalizing the process of establishing an electricity offences tribunal with an appeal system to quickly address power-related offenses.
It also stated that a total of 2,655,488 meters in the power sector had been tested and calibrated, with the majority of the equipment having been deployed for usage by consumers throughout the country.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, Aliyu Tahir, while addressing pressmen on Thursday, in Abuja, according to The Punch.
It was earlier reported that the Federal Government’s most recent metering update revealed 609,585 electricity consumers were metered in 2023, while the total number of unmetered registered power users nationally was 7,319,846.
According to the report, records from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission show that 5,842,726 of the 13,162,572 registered consumers who receive energy from the national grid have been metered.
Commenting Tahir said that by the agency’s mandate, NEMSA had tested and calibrated over 2.6 million meters.
According to Tahir, NEMSA, a Federal Government body founded in 2015, is still testing and calibrating new meters to verify their performance, longevity, and safety when in use.
He said, “A total of 21,681 electricity installation projects have been inspected and tested, out of which 13,154 have been certified. Also, a total of 16,624 electricity networks have been monitored by NEMSA.
“About 4,921 factories, hazardous installations, and public places have been inspected, tested and certified fit, while 2,655,488 electricity meters have been tested and calibrated, as 487 incidences were investigated by the agency.”
He noted that the figures were based on data compiled by NEMSA as of the first quarter of 2024 and that the Electricity Act of 2023 enhanced the agency’s enforcement powers and responsibilities.
Tahir stated that, in line with the powers granted to the agency by the Electricity Act, NEMSA has been working hard to establish a tribunal that would quickly try electricity-related offenses.
“We are working on the establishment of an electricity offences tribunal with an in-built appeal system for faster dispensation of electricity-related offences. It is to vest NEMSA in-house counsel with powers to prosecute electricity offences,” he said.
Tahir provided additional information regarding the tribunal, stating that when executed, the idea will adequately address electricity theft, and that the National Assembly had been notified.
“We are looking at the establishment of this electricity tribunal to be able to enforce our mandates more. When you look at the enforcement, concerning sanctioning of violators in the Act, it is a very long process.
“So to fast-track the prosecution of offenders, the establishment of this tribunal solely for the power sector will go a long way in ensuring that we fast-track the process, carry out enforcements, and sanction violators,” the NEMSA boss stated.
