The Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency
(NEMSA) has been given a two-year ultimatum to become financially
self-sustaining and exit the federal government payroll.
This directive was issued by the Minister of Power,
Adebayo Adelabu, during the inauguration of the agency’s new board in Abuja.
Adelabu revealed that the agency had previously faced
removal from government funding but was granted an extension after his
intervention with the National Salaries and Wages Commission. He stressed that
the new timeline should be used to build a strong internal revenue base capable
of covering operational costs, including staff salaries.
To achieve this, the minister urged NEMSA to explore
innovative income-generating strategies, particularly through value-added
services within the electricity sector. He also indicated plans to support the
agency in retaining a larger portion of its revenue instead of remitting all
earnings to the Treasury Single Account, adding that discussions would be held
with the Ministry of Finance to facilitate this.
Beyond financial sustainability, Adelabu emphasized
the importance of capacity development, noting that staff must receive both
local and international training to meet evolving technical standards in the
industry.
He further highlighted the need for stricter
enforcement against the use of substandard materials in the power sector,
linking poor compliance to recurring issues such as grid failures.
The newly inaugurated board, led by Ikechi Nwosu,
acknowledged the task ahead, pointing out the need for increased manpower and
advanced training to effectively carry out its regulatory responsibilities.
NEMSA plays a critical role in enforcing technical
standards and ensuring safety across Nigeria’s electricity supply industry, and
the new directive signals a broader push for efficiency, accountability, and
independence within the agency.
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