EEDC commiserates with family of victims of electrocution in Anambra
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Distribution Company (EEDC) has expressed deep condolences to the family of Mrs Patience Ugbana and her granddaughter Miss Adaeze Ugbana who died when a high tension wire fell on their shop on May 18.
Mr Emeka Eze, Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC said this on Tuesday.
Eze said a team from the management of the company had paid a condolences visit to their deceased family in their Nnewi home describing their deaths were unfortunate.
The deceased were aged 55 and 10 years respectively.
He blamed the deaths on obstruction of power right of way by the victims saying that incident would not have occurred if people adhered to warning on hazards associated with erecting structures or trading under the power line right-of-way.
“The incident occured in Anambra, the victims put up a makeshift shop made of a metallic container, directly under the High Tension line, which was why the victims were caught up and electrocuted.
“The fact is that we wouldn’t have lost these lives if they were not under the power line”, Ezeh said.
The EEDC spokesman described power line right of way as the mapped out corridor for distribution and transmission electricity reiterating that precautionary safety measures and mandatory clearance levels must be observed by the public.
EEDC enumerated the various power lines and their respective clearance levels, according to Eze, 11 meters is to be observed on 11KV and 33KV lines (that is 5.5 meters on both sides); while 30 meters is observed on 132 KV line (that is 15 meters on both sides).
He said 50 meters should be observed on 330KV line (that is 25 meters on both sides), warning that in situations where electricity lines sag or snap, and the specified clearance level was not observed, lives of people living within the area will be exposed to possible electrocution.
He said the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) had directed DISCOs to disconnect power supply to all structures, buildings and premises that are in violation of the Power line Right-of-way and that EEDC had since commenced disconnection of erring properties within its network.
He said EEDC was working in full liaison with relevant government agencies to ensure the directive was carried out effectively.
“We frown at the indiscriminate manner structures are erected within electricity Right-of-way and warn our customers to desist from this hazardous behaviour”, Ezeh said.
