Electricity consumers in Nigeria are urged only to accept metres from distribution firms that contain the NEMSA seal and labelling.
This was said by Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), at a press conference held on 27 April in Abuja.
Tahir stressed the need to recognise these markers as the first step in ensuring the legitimacy of installed metres.
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Labels confirm metres are certified
According to Tahir, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency certifies and conducts tests on all metres and other electrical equipment used in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) before their deployment. He added that the labels on the metres indicate to customers the date of the last test conducted and the next scheduled date for retesting.
If a customer suspects that their metre is running faster than usual, Tahir advised that various factors could contribute to this issue. He urged customers to ensure that only NEMSA-certified installers handle the installation of their metres, and they can confirm this by requesting the installer’s certificate.
“Another thing is the electrical installations in your premises around your metre. If there is linkage between your metre and the installation, the metre will see it as a continuous load and it will be reading. And most of these installations do not have effective earthing. It is only when earthing is done properly that you can have leakages detected and isolated using the circuit breaker.
“Improper installation of change over between generators and power supply can also lead to this. Some of us build our own generators in line with our metres. If you install the generator along the load line, your metre will continue to pick it up when you are running your generator. You must have a separate line for your generator if not you will pay the utility for using your own generator”, he added.
The agency conducts regular testings
Tahir revealed that NEMSA conducted extensive equipment and installation tests in the previous year. In 2022, the agency inspected a total of 10,876 new electrical projects, monitored 10,598 existing networks, and successfully resolved 771 of them.
Additionally, they tested 2.5 million metres, inspected 3,480 public places, factories, and hotels, certified 2,719 electrical personnel, renewed a total of 6,332 licences, inspected 647 pole manufacturers, removed 68,168 substandard materials, and investigated 376 electrical accidents.
Tahir expressed concern that insufficient funding was impeding the agency’s efforts in the sector. He also pointed out that DisCos’ failure to invest in the network was hindering growth in the industry.
About NEMSA
The NEMSA Act of 2015 established the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency to perform various functions related to technical standards and regulations enforcement, technical inspection, testing, and certification of all types of electrical installations, electricity metres, and instruments.
These activities aim to facilitate efficient production and safe and dependable delivery of sustainable electricity power supply, ensuring the protection of lives and properties within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and other related industries, workplaces, and premises.