The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Insurance Commission to enhance electrical safety compliance in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, as well as ensure adherence to insurance policy requirements for these structures.
A statement issued by NEMSA’s Head of Communications and Protocol Unit, Ama Umoren, on Sunday in Abuja, stated that the MoU establishes a collaborative framework between NEMSA and NAICOM to ensure that as a pre-condition, all electrical installations in residential, commercial, industrial premises, hazardous locations, industries and factories are duly certified by NEMSA before the Insurance Policy is processed by all Insurance Companies.
It stated further that the partnership between NEMSA and NAICOM aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the reliability and safety of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
The NEMSA’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, while speaking during the signing ceremony, emphasised the importance of this collaboration in mitigating risks associated with electrical accidents and infrastructure failures.
“This partnership with NAICOM is a significant step towards ensuring that all electricity consumers, operators, and investors adhere to the highest safety and risk management standards.
”By integrating insurance compliance into electrical safety enforcement, we are safeguarding lives, investments, and the overall integrity of the power sector,” he stated.
Tukur, who is also the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, said going forward, ‘’It will also be a requirement by NEMSA that all Facility Applicants of its statutory inspection, testing and certification, should ensure that their Facilities are insured with Insurance Companies, for safety and mitigation of risk.”
On his part, the Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM, Mr Olusegun Omosehin, reiterated NAICOM’s commitment to ensuring that all power sector players embrace insurance as a critical risk management tool.
“Insurance plays a crucial role in cushioning the effects of electrical hazards and infrastructure-related incidents. Through this MoU, we will work closely with NEMSA to enforce compliance with relevant insurance policies, ensuring that the power sector operates with adequate risk mitigation mechanisms in place,” he said.
The collaboration will involve joint awareness campaigns, regulatory enforcement, and information-sharing initiatives to promote electrical safety and insurance adoption across the power sector.
This strategic partnership marks a milestone in the drive to enhance safety, reliability, and sustainability within Nigeria’s electricity industry and the country at large.
