LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Federal Government has said that plans are underway for the establishment of an electricity offences tribunal with an in-built appeal system to help mitigate electricity-related offences.
This, was disclosed through the Managing Director, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Aliyu Tahir, at a press briefing in Abuja, on Thursday.
Speaking, he said, ‘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 stated.
Providing further explanation about the tribunal, Tahir said the initiative would adequately electricity theft when implemented and that the National Assembly had been informed.
“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
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“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.
He expressed confidence in the tribunal saying that it would help in managing the theft and issues that has plunge the power sector once the national assembly give the verdict on the establishment.
Tahir stated that based on the powers conferred on the agency in the Electricity Act, NEMSA had been working hard to establish a tribunal that would speedily try electricity-related offences.
He explained that the figures were based on data compiled by NEMSA as of the first quarter of 2024, adding that the Electricity Act 2023 had strengthened the enforcement powers and responsibilities of the agency.
“The establishment of this tribunal has been brought to the knowledge of the legislature and we’ve made submissions to them. We hope that they will amend the Electricity Act to include a provision for this,” Tahir stated.
Aliyu futher outlined the mandate given to the agency and that it has tested and calibrated over 2.6 million meters.
“On June 2, 2024, the Federal Government showed that 609,585 electricity consumers were metered in 2023, while the number of unmetered registered power users nationwide stood at 7,319,846,” punch reported.
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He added that the agency is still testing and calibrating more meters to ensure their functionality, durability 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 added.