By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to enhance electrical safety and insurance compliance of residential, commercial and industrial properties in line with extant insurance policies.
The MoU, signed at NAICOM, 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 insurance policy is processed by all insurance companies.
The partnership, according to a statement signed by NEMSA’s head of Communication and Protocol, Mrs Ama Umoren, aligns with the federal government’s commitment to strengthening the reliability and safety of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEMSA, Engr Aliyu Tukur Tahir, emphasised the importance of the 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.
According to the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, going forward, ‘’It will also be a requirement by NEMSA that all facility applicants of its statutory inspection, testing and certification, 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 Ayo 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 noted.
According to the statement, the collaboration will involve joint awareness campaigns, regulatory enforcement, and information-sharing initiatives to promote electrical safety and insurance adoption across the power sector,”