NERC, ONSA Unite Against Power Infrastructure Vandalism

Musiliu Oseni
MD NERC 

.... "Sustained synergy between both institutions would help protect critical electricity assets and improve the reliability of power supply nationwide." Oseni 

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has strengthened collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to tackle the growing menace of vandalism threatening Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.

The renewed partnership was the focus of a courtesy visit by an ONSA delegation to NERC, aimed at deepening inter-agency cooperation and improving the protection of critical assets within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Speaking during the meeting, NERC Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, commended ONSA for its role in safeguarding national power infrastructure, stressing that stronger collaboration was crucial to addressing persistent attacks on electricity facilities across the country.

Oseni said sustained synergy between both institutions would help protect critical electricity assets and improve the reliability of power supply nationwide.

“The importance of sustained collaboration in addressing the rising cases of vandalism affecting electricity infrastructure across the country cannot be overstated,” he said.

He added that enhanced cooperation between NERC and ONSA remained essential to securing power installations and strengthening service delivery in the sector.

Enebong Effiom
Director of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection, ONSA

Also speaking, the Director of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection at ONSA, Enebong Effiom, underscored the need for closer cooperation in securing assets within the power sector.

As part of measures agreed at the meeting, both agencies resolved to establish a joint stakeholders’ forum to combat vandalism and improve coordination among relevant institutions.

The agencies also agreed to develop a shared database containing information on power assets, vandalism incidents and infraction reports to enable better threat assessment and response planning.

In addition, plans were unveiled for the creation of a dedicated reporting platform to facilitate timely incident reporting, speed up arrests and support the prosecution of criminal elements involved in attacks on electricity infrastructure.

The move comes amid growing concerns over recurring vandalism of transmission and distribution facilities, which stakeholders say continues to undermine efforts to improve electricity supply across Nigeria.