The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has commenced its Safety Week for the Year 2025, with the charge on power workers to promote safety practices in workplaces and at home.
Organised in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the NERC Safety Week was designed to raise awareness on safety practices in workplaces and in communities.
NERC, in a statement on Wednesday, said while declaring the safety week open, the Commission’s Vice Chairman, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, urged participants to heighten safety practices in workplaces and homes towards contributing to a culture of safety across communities.
“Let me emphasize that this drill is not just an exercise; it is an important reminder that emergencies do not give prior notice. Therefore, our knowledge, practice, and coordination are our first lines of defence in protecting ourselves and one another,” he added.
Also speaking, NERC Commissioner, Corporate Services, Nathan Shatti, earlier in his welcome address, stressed that staff members of the Commission must not just comply but practice all aspects of safety in the workplace.
“Each day you come to this office, there are certain safety precautions and safety awareness that you should have, and so this programme is a reminder for everyone to know that it is not just about talking about safety but doing safety.”
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by the Head, Abuja Operations Office of NEMA, Mr. Zakari Abubakar, in a keynote address, said prioritizing safety reduces the risks of injuries, fatalities, and illnesses while promoting economic development. He therefore urged everyone to maintain the highest level of safety practices in both workplaces and at home.
In his remarks, the acting Managing Director, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET), Johnson Akinnawo, recalled the saying that electricity is a good servant but a bad master, noting that participants should take the exercise seriously to improve safety practices.
Highlights of the event include presentations on emergency evacuation, building preparedness to handle emergencies, handling medical emergencies, security tips at home and in the workplace, fire safety, and emergency evacuation, as well as practical demonstrations.
