The National Electrical Contractors Association of Fiji says most electrical house fires in Fiji occur because of works done by incompetent electricians who do not meet the compliance by going through the process of following the Fiji Electricity Act.
Interim General Secretary, Shaveer Abdul Aziz says they are helping contractors to maintain the necessary standards for the electrical works industry.
He says they will ensure that all electricians meet the master electrician’s criteria with an electrical contractor’s licence.
Aziz says when necessary standards are maintained then there will be a reduction in unethical practices especially the number of house fires in Fiji.
Aziz says some consumers edge these private electricians to engage in such illegal practices, especially in the rural areas.
He says the National Electrical Contractors Association of Fiji has received reports of customers complaining that they pay a lot of money for electrical works and later when there is a default, they find out that the electrician was not licenced.
Aziz says having a contracted licence entitles the customer to go through the EFL process of lodging the application, getting the approval and getting the EFL inspection conducted for compliance and getting the power reconnected.
The National Electrical Contractors Association of Fiji is working in collaboration with Energy Fiji Limited to ensure that all electrical work carried by customers must get certified from EFL.
He says they are working with Energy Fiji Limited to stop the licenced legal contractors to get the permits done for jobs carried out by private electricians which are still going on in Fiji.
Aziz says when electricians get a wireman’s licence they start carrying out private jobs which is illegal.
He says the wireman’s licence states that the holder of the licence shall not undertake or carry out electrical wiring work except as the employee of an electrical contractor which is why the licence does not entitle the electricians with wireman’s licence to do private jobs.
Aziz says the electricians that are not licenced are registered and the employer who is already a compliant, takes responsibility of the electrical work carried out by them.
The main objectives of NECAF are to provide a high level of customer service and strive to exceed expectations, be consistent, fair and transparent in dealing with all its stakeholders and embrace innovation with the use of technology such as mobile app and website.
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