Delegates from the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) paid a fact-finding visit to express concern about the electrocution incident that occurred in Calabar over the weekend.

The delegation, led on Tuesday by the Managing Director/Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Engr Aliyu Tukur, expressed that the incident could have been prevented if power companies had conducted timely maintenance of their energy infrastructure.

According to him, “This incident is unfortunate, but it is preventable if three things were in place. First, the community itself has encroached into the power lines because it’s risky, and we’ve seen a lot of encroachment when we went around within the community. Secondly, this incident wouldn’t have happened if the protections from the power lines were operating correctly. Because they were not operated correctly, the power lingered for some time before there was an outage on the line.

“This incident could not have happened if utility companies are carrying out maintenance of their power infrastructure as at when due. This network in Calabar South is one of the oldest networks; it’s aged and there’s urgent rehabilitation.”

Tukur noted that “electricity has become part of our daily lives but is associated with many hazards. These hazards are real and can affect even professionals if not used safely and wisely.”

He cautioned citizens not to build any structures under high-tension lines and urged Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc. (PHED) to urgently carry out a total rehabilitation of the network in Calabar South.

After examining the degree of burns on the victims, the delegation interacted with the Medical Superintendent, General Hospital Calabar, Dr. Kenneth Takim, who confirmed that their health condition was stable.

“I want to thank God Almighty for their safe recovery. The incident was quite serious; one of them was even unconscious when they arrived at the hospital. Following treatment, he regained consciousness, and they are getting better. Medically, they are improving.

“The degree of burns should be about 25% or thereabouts. Their conditions are presently stable. This incident happened unexpectedly, and thank God they came out alive. So, my advice is that everyone should be as vigilant as possible to make sure you don’t stand under electric poles, especially when it is raining, and not to rush in when such incidents happen,” he advised.

One of the witnesses on the day of the incident, Hon. Francis Oyo Obo, hinted that it was the Igbo unions that raised money for the victims’ immediate medical bills and hence appealed that PHED refund their money. He thanked the governor for earlier sending some delegates to visit the victims and also allocating some money for their well-being. (Tribune)

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