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Federal Government: See Number of Deaths from Electrocutions in Early 2024

Published by Tope Fakinlede on October 26th, 2024.

Federal Government: See Number of Deaths from Electrocutions in Early 2024

The Federal Government has announced that at least 51 individuals lost their lives due to electrical accidents in the first six months of 2024. These incidents impacted eight electricity distribution companies across Nigeria.

According to the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), among the fatalities, 10 were employees of the affected distribution companies, which include Eko, Jos, Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.

The statistics were part of NEMSA’s Safety Ranking report for Distribution Companies and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, covering January to June 2024. The report highlighted eight primary factors contributing to these accidents, such as failures in system protection equipment, a lack of protective devices in specific areas, poor network maintenance, improper cable termination, and breaches of right-of-way regulations.

Other identified causes included slow emergency response times, the use of substandard materials, insufficient safety training, and vandalism of electrical infrastructure.

During this period, five distribution companies disconnected 285 structures located within the right-of-way of power lines in their service areas. Eko Disco, which operates in Ogun and Lagos states, disconnected 89 structures, while Enugu Disco removed 13 in its coverage of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. Kano Disco, serving Jigawa and Katsina, disconnected 139 structures; Jos Disco cut off 21, and Ibadan Disco removed 23.

In October, NEMSA directed the electricity distribution companies to replace outdated distribution networks in their areas within seven days, following a two-month notice for necessary upgrades.

NEMSA’s Managing Director, Tukur Aliyu, emphasized that many distribution networks were outdated and in poor condition. He referenced a specific electrocution incident in Calabar, where Port Harcourt Electricity Disco was instructed to upgrade its network but failed to meet satisfactory standards after two inspections.

To reduce such risks, Aliyu urged consumers to hire certified electricians for their electrical installations, stressing that using qualified personnel ensures accountability and adherence to safety standards. He stated, “It’s crucial that your electrical work is handled by certified individuals who can be held accountable in case of issues.”