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By Daniel Adaji
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s electricity sector have called on the Federal Government to establish an investigative panel to probe public servants and political appointees allegedly influencing the award of government contracts for personal gain.
According to a copy of the communique obtained by Pointblanknews.com on Wednesday, participants at a one-day Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Safety Strategic Workshop decried rising cases of contract racketeering in the power sector and warned that political interference is compromising national procurement policies and entrenching corruption.
“The federal government should set up an investigative panel on contract racketeering to fish out and punish public servants and serving political appointees who influence the award of government contracts to companies they have an interest in,” the communique stated.
Stakeholders said such interference amounts to a conflict of interest and undermines efforts to improve transparency, service delivery, and electricity safety across the country.
The workshop, held recently in Abuja, was organised by the Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA) in collaboration with the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria and the Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria. It drew 50 NESI stakeholders from across public and private sector organisations.
With the theme, “Building partnership for advocacy against funding challenges affecting compliance and enforcement of electricity safety standards and regulations in Nigeria,” the event aimed to develop an advocacy framework that strengthens compliance and promotes a collaborative approach to electricity safety.
Participants further expressed disappointment over the absence of 23 out of the 27 government institutions invited to the workshop. Only the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), and the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations were represented.
They noted that the absence of key institutions such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Ministry of Finance, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) “puts a question mark on their commitment to implement policies and programmes that could improve compliance and enforcement of safety standards and regulations in the electricity sector.”
To further address challenges in the sector, the communique recommended the creation of an Electricity Safety Fund and a Safety Fund Management System to support agencies like the NPF and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which are responsible for enforcing electricity safety laws.
The stakeholders also advocated for legislative and executive support at all levels of government for the National Safe Electricity Installation Empowerment Programme, an initiative launched by APPA.
They proposed the establishment of a dedicated Safe Electricity Installers Empowerment Fund, to be appropriated annually by the National Assembly.
On procurement issues, participants condemned what they described as the “unlawful imposition of administrative fees and charges by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in procurement contract award processes.”
They argued that such practices increase costs for contractors and discourage compliance with safety standards.
They further urged law enforcement agencies, MDAs’ procurement units, anti-corruption bodies, and National Assembly committees to urgently review contract award and execution processes to align them with national development priorities.
The communique also applauded APPA’s unveiling of the NESI Safety Portal—a digital platform designed to promote electricity safety awareness and compliance. Participants encouraged NESI stakeholders to adopt the portal for advocacy and real-time information sharing.
The workshop called on the Federal Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to closely monitor Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operational Expenditure (OPEX) policies administered by licensed electricity distribution companies to prevent the diversion of funds meant to upgrade infrastructure and improve safety.
The participants resolved to activate an Electricity Safety Support Committee, which will work with agencies such as NEMSA, NOA, SON, NSCDC, ALGON, and APPA to promote grassroots enlightenment and drive a culture of safety in Nigeria’s electricity supply industry.