The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has embarked on a fact-finding mission to ascertain the causes of frequent load rejections on all the electricity Distribution Companies(DISCOs) 33KV feeder lines and associated 33/11KV injection substations from Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) 330/132/33KV substations across the country.
This was the issues discussed when Engr. Aliyu Tahir, Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation/Managing Director, Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) led members of his team to the headquarters of both Eko Electricity Distribution Company(EKEDC) and Ikeja Electric(IE) during the week.
According to Engr. Tahir NEMSA is concerned about identifying the challenges at the interface points between transmission and electricity distribution networks that are obstructing smooth power supply to electricity customers across the country.
He added that the nationwide technical monitoring and evaluation of the primary 33KV feeder lines and associated 33/11KV injection substations with supply source will further help the Government to identify constraints militating against the quick realisation of its policy towards the incremental, stable and uninterrupted power supply.
The NEMSA boss said, the Federal Government is committed to sustainable and incremental power supply achievable through the 33KV primary feeder lines to the 33/11KV injection substations and subsequently through the 11KV feeder lines associated distribution transformers and finally to consumers.
He further revealed that the agency is committed to identifying the high-risk and technical loss points along the 33KV feeder lines. He also that the nationwide inspections will enable the agency to ascertain the causes for load rejection by DisCos and to make recommendations for dealing with identified issues/challenges,
The MD NEMSA, Aliyu Tahir, however, disclosed that the agency has shown zero tolerance for substandard practices in the industry by taking steps to strengthen and expand its core mandate of monitoring and certification of electrical installations in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
He insisted that all electrical installations must meet the statutory requirement before certification.
Earlier during the meeting with the management of EKEDC, Dr. Tinuade Sanda, MD/CEO, assured NEMSA of her company’s commitment to greater compliance with standards and due diligence.
Folake Soetan, MD/CEO Ikeja Electric, in her own remark, when the NEMSA team paid her a call, said that the determination of the Engr Tahir-led NEMSA led the agency in identifying the challenges that are hindering smooth power supply delivery in the country would help to guarantee sustainable supply.
According to her, this would go a long way in achieving the set goals of the Agency as well as that of Ikeja Electric.
NEMSA and the two DisCos operating in Lagos both agreed to work with the agency to stamp out the inflow of bad/substandard electrical materials and equipment their distribution networks.
