The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), has officially laid the foundation of a National Meter Test Station in Enugu State.
The establishment of the station is part of government’s efforts to prevent substandard electricity meters, metering equipment and instruments.
The first phase of the project would gulp N223 million and would be ready in 18 months. On completion, the Enugu station will become the fourth after Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Kaduna.
At the foundation laying ceremony, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Peter Ewesor, said the establishment of the National Test Station was a necessity to bring NEMSA’s services closer to the people in the Southeast.
According to him, it cannot be over-emphasised that inspection, testing and calibration and certification of Electricity Energy Meters and electrical installations and power systems play a very critical role in the interface between investors, utility companies and consumers.
He explained that the epoch-making event was significant, and represented a milestone in the realisation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s change agenda and infrastructural development aimed at providing safe, reliable and sustainable electricity to the citizens.
Ewesor noted that the foundation laying ceremony was not only timely, but also worthwhile “if we must reinforce investor’s, utility companies and customers’ confidence in the power sector”.
“Therefore, we cannot at this time of our economy allow the wastage of our scarce resources and lose precious life and property. The task of safety in the electricity industry is for all of us, and we must adhere to standards and regulations in everything that has to do with electricity, which is known to be a good servant but a bad master,” Ewesor said.