Still battling to convince Nigerians that it was not unduly favouring market operators against customers, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is again battling to retain its position as the only regulator in the power industry.
A Bill for the establishment of the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Authority (NEMSA) was recently introduced to the National assembly.
NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, said claims that his commission was not capable to regulate technical operations in the electricity supply industry were untrue, considering the number of technical regulations and codes it had developed for the market.
The NEMSA bill seeks to convert the Electricity Management Services Plc into an authority to technically regulate the Nigerian electricity supply industry.
Speaking in Abuja at the formal presentation of the NERC health and safety code, Amadi said, “The National Electric Power Policy 2000 and EPSR 2005, which are the guiding spirit for the power sector reform, unambiguously mandate the commission as the sole and independent technical and economic regulator of the NESI. At this point, I must correct the wrong impression being created by some people that there is no effective technical regulation of the NESI.
“This wicked misinformation is aimed at distracting the commission from its core mandates, causing disharmony and derailing the progress made in the power sector. I will like to categorically state here that there is no gap whatsoever in the technical regulation in the NESI as being alleged.
He said NERC has put several regulatory instruments in place to address technical and safety issues arising from across the electricity supply chain.
Amadi noted that “it is this confidence that is boosting the large inflow of local and foreign investors. It should be understood that the development of an effective and efficient electricity market that will provide safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity to Nigerians is hard work. It, therefore, requires commitment, competence, doggedness and focus.
