Electricity Featured

NEMSA assures standardisation of electricity equipments in power sector

By Abisola THOMPSON

Engr Peter Ewesor, the Managing Director/CEO & Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation,Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has reteirated the agency’s commitment to foster standardisation of electricity equipments in the country.

Ewesor said that the newly official commissioned of NEMSA Upgraded and Remodelled Chemical and Engineering Laboratory by the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, today’s event is a major milestone for NEMSA in the enhancement of its functions and mandate at enforcing technical standards and regulations as they relate to electrical materials, power equipment and industry-related chemicals by providing quality chemical and engineering tests and analytical services to the generation, transmission and distribution companies, hydro power stations and other related companies in NESI and the nation at large.

He said that the chemical and engineering laboratory is one of the vintage assets in NEMSA, currently being strategically positioned to ensure that only the right type, quality and specification of insulating oil/chemicals, electrical materials, lubricants of various grades, etc, are used in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and other allied industries.

The MD said that this laboratory has been operating as a reference quality control laboratory for the entire power industry since the era of the defunct NEPA and PHCN, and now in the post-privatisation era when NEMSA took it over in a dilapidated state in 2014.

According to him, NEMSA, in realisation of its key role in furthering its mandate as enshrined in NEMSA Act-2015, embarked on the upgrading and remodelling of its chemical and engineering laboratory Ijora- Olopa, Lagos to provide accurate tests and analyses of insulating and cooling oils, lubricants and electrical properties of materials used in electrical equipment deployed or to be deployed in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and in other allied industries and workplaces in Nigeria.

“In line with NEMSA’s mandate as per NEMSA Act – 2015, the agency is to amongst others provide sustained technical inspection, testing and certification of all electrical materials, (including transformer oil and chemicals) or equipment, power systems, networks (generation, transmission and distribution), or electrical installations to be used in the power sector, to ensure a stable system to deliver safe, reliable, regular power supply, guarantee safety of lives and property, and avert loss of lives and property in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

The effective performance of these services will enhance and sustain power supply stability in Nigeria, ” he said.

Ewesor said that the Chemical and Engineering Laboratory has been upgraded and remodelled to enable NEMSA deliver appropriately on its mandate and responsibility of monitoring the quality, standards and specifications of critical electrical property of chemicals and insulating oil and materials used in electrical and power equipment along the value chain to ensure their efficient performance.

” For example, the insulating oil for the transformer performs two main functions of cooling the windings and insulation of the windings.

“The failure of the insulant will adversely affect the equipment performance and also result to early failure of the power equipment with attendant consequences of long downtime.

“This laboratory is equipped with a wide range of world class test equipment, instruments, and devices which include: Dissolved Gas Analyser (DGA) – a diagnostic equipment for detecting, identifying and evaluating incipient faults occurring within transformers and reactors; Dielectric Strength Tester.

” To determine the insulation levels; Kinematic Viscometers – which determines oil viscosity & flow rate of the sample at specific temperatures; Potentiometric Titrator for determining the acidity/acid number present in an oil sample which is used as a measure of oil degradation and deterioration; Interfacial Tension Test Meter for determining the interfacial tension of an oil sample in an oil – water interphase.

“Cube Strength Testing machine for determining the strength of the concrete used for the manufacture of electric concrete poles; Coulometric Titrator for moisture content analysis, pH meters, Muffle furnace, Multimeters, etc,” he added.

He, however,  express gratitude and appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for his unrelenting effort in quality leadership towards infrastructural development nationwide, and to Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, for his encouragement of policy innovations particularly with ease of doing business of this administration that has impacted positively on our operations.

“Also, I and the management and staff of this Agency thank our indefatigable and dynamic Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, who has been a huge pillar of support to this Agency and whose sterling qualities and leadership in the sector has contributed in no small measure in making today’s event a reality.

” Furthermore, I thank the Honourable Minister of State, Power, Works and Housing, Hon Mustapha Baba Shehuri whose support we appreciate; the Permanent Secretary (Power), Engr Louis Edozien, and directors of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (Power Sector) for their continuous and tireless efforts and support towards the realization of Government policies, developmental programmes and activities for effective service delivery in NESI with respect to the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing three point agenda of incremental, stable and uninterrupted power/electricity electricity supply to Nigerians.

“Equally, I like to sincerely thank the Contractors, F & F Group, particularly the Chairman of the company Mr Femi banjo Onamusi, for the quality of the building works and for completing the project on schedule; Fosab Engineering Ltd for the supply of the test equipment and instruments to the right specifications; and to the Consultants Nehemiah Builders and Engineering Ltd who adequately supervised the projects to successful completion.

“Finally, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire management and staff of NEMSA for their unflinching support and working tirelessly for us to deliver on our mandate, roles and responsibility as enshrined in NEMSA Act – 2015,” Ewesor appluded.

 

 

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