Nigeria considers new law to unbundle power sector

Suswam said an electricity law was supposed to be in place after the sector was decoupled, stressing, “There is no law as it were now that actually governs the electricity sector in the country.” “So, what we are trying to do is to put up an Act that comprehensively covers the power sector.

Electricity workers …Stakeholders raise concerns over regulatory enforcement in sectorThe Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 (EPSRA), introduced privatisation of the power sector may become obsolete by the end of the year as the National Assembly, yesterday, revealed that a new legislation was being planned to unbundle the sector.

Meanwhile, NEMSA, a Federal Government agency saddled with the responsibilities of enforcing technical standards and regulations in the power sector through inspection, testing and certification of electrical equipment and products, said there would be no importation of equipment that violates National Low Voltage regulations.

And so those issues need to be addressed in the Electricity Act.” The lawmaker disclosed that the new legislation is being tailored with regulations in other countries like India, Germany and others with comprehensive legislation, noting that at the moment, there are litigations left to the discretion of the judiciary.

Suswam noted that the existing law had served the purpose of reform and was no longer capable of offering the needed solutions and emerging issues in the nation’s power sector.

Managing Director of NEMSA, Peter Ewesor, said: “What we have decided is to enforce what the regulations say and that is ensuring that from now on, you will no longer be allowed to use any equipment running on 415 voltage unless it already exists in the country..

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