4 weeks ago
43 ARTICLE AD
File: Picture of an electrocuted man on a pole
The Federal Government has revealed that no fewer than 51 people lost their lives in electrical accidents in the first half of 2024.
The incidents were said to have affected eight electricity distribution companies across the country.
According to the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, 10 of the fatalities involved staff members of the affected Discos, including Eko, Jos, Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.
The figure was revealed in the agency’s Safety Ranking of Distribution Companies and Transmission Company of Nigeria report from January to June 2024.
The report identified eight key factors contributing to the accidents, including failure of system protection equipment, absence of protection devices in certain areas, poor network maintenance, improper cable termination, and violations of right-of-way regulations.
Other causes included slow response times, the use of substandard materials, lack of safety knowledge, and vandalism of power infrastructure.
In the same period, five Discos disconnected a total of 285 structures found within the right-of-way of power lines in their franchise areas.
Eko Disco, which operates in Ogun and Lagos states, disconnected 89 structures; Enugu Disco, covering Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, cut off 13 structures.
Kano Disco, serving Jigawa and Katsina states, disconnected 139 structures. Jos Disco, which operates in Plateau, Gombe, Bauchi, and Benue states, disconnected 21, while Ibadan Disco disconnected 23 structures.
NEMSA had earlier in October directed the electricity distribution companies (Discos) to replace weak distribution networks in their franchise areas within seven days.
The directive came after the expiration of a two-month notice initially given to the power firms to make necessary upgrades.
The Managing Director of NEMSA and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Tukur Aliyu, stated that the order was issued after the agency discovered that many of the distribution networks were outdated and deteriorating.
He referenced an incident of electrocution in Calabar, where the agency instructed Port Harcourt Electricity Disco to upgrade parts of its network in the Cross River State capital.
However, after two inspection visits, the work completed by the utility was found to be unsatisfactory.
To prevent further hazardous incidents, Aliyu urged electricity consumers to hire certified electricians for their property installations.
He emphasised that using certified personnel ensured accountability and safety compliance, as the individuals could be tracked if any safety issues arose.
“To effectively reduce this hazard, we have technical standards that must be enforced. The first step is to ensure your electrical installation is done by certified personnel. These are the people who are qualified and traceable if any issues occur,” he explained.
