NEMSA Orders EEDC to Fix 31 Faulty Lines, Intensify Power Safety Checks

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has intensified nationwide inspection, testing, and certification exercises to ensure electrical safety and reliability across the country, in line with its renewed enforcement drive under the Electricity Act 2023

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Head of Communications and Protocol, Ama Umoren, NEMSA disclosed that its field inspectors recently uncovered 31 critical safety defects in the Afikpo 33kV feeder and Nibo Injection Substation operated by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in Ebonyi State According to the statement, the inspection was led by Osita Obiukwu from NEMSA’s Enugu Inspectorate Office. It revealed several safety lapses, including right-of-way violations, vegetation encroachment, broken cross-arms, undersized conductors, and ageing 33kV overhead lines running dangerously close to residential and commercial buildings. NEMSA, in response to the findings, has directed EEDC to correct all the identified defects within four weeks to prevent potential electrical hazards that could lead to loss of life and property The agency warned that failure to comply with the directive within the stipulated period would attract strict enforcement actions as provided under the Electricity Act 2023 The Managing Director and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, reaffirmed NEMSA’s commitment to ensuring that all electricity networks and installations in the country meet technical and safety standards. He explained that the intensified safety enforcement is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate substandard infrastructure, reduce cases of electrocution, and prevent fire incidents linked to faulty electrical lines. He added that NEMSA’s engineers have been deployed across the country to carry out continuous safety monitoring and technical evaluations of power lines, substations, and distribution networks to identify hazards and ensure timely corrections The agency further stated that it is collaborating with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and other relevant institutions to strengthen compliance and promote safety awareness within the power sector. Meanwhile, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company has acknowledged the directive and assured that it will begin immediate repairs to address the identified faults. The company appealed to customers in affected areas to exercise patience as maintenance work is carried out, emphasizing that safety remains a top priority. NEMSA also urged members of the public to report any unsafe electrical installations, fallen power lines, or damaged infrastructure to the nearest electricity office or through its official safety hotlines. The agency reiterated its resolve to sustain rigorous monitoring, certification, and enforcement to guarantee that all electrical installations in Nigeria are safe, compliant, and reliable.