…Reiterates the need for people to stay clear of power line Right-of-Way
The management of Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC (EEDC) has described as unfortunate, the electrical accident that occurred last week as a result of wire snap at St. Peter Clavers Junction, Nnewichi, Nnewi, Anambra State, which resulted in loss of lives of a 55 year-old woman and her grand daughter.
The Management of EEDC has equally conveyed its condolences to the family of the victims during a condolence visit to the family last week by representatives of the company led by the Head of Health, Safety & Environment, Engr. Francis Iwu.
This development was made known to newsmen in Enugu yesterday by the Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh.
According to Ezeh, this situation wouldn’t have occured if people adhere to all the publicity and sensitisation efforts by the company on the hazards of erecting structures, trading or carrying out business activities under the power line Right-of-Way.
In this very incident that occured in Anambra, the victim put up a makeshift shop made of a metallic container, directly under the High Tension (HT) 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 lamented.
The power line Right-of-way is the mapped out corridor for Distribution and Transmission power lines. As a precautionary safety measure, these mandatory clearance levels are to be observed and adhered to by members of the public when putting up structures.
It will be recalled that EEDC had issued a release advising her customers and the general public against putting up structures and carrying out business activities within power line power line Right-of-way.
The distribution company equally enumerated the various power lines and their respective clearance levels. For instance, 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) and 50 meters observed on 330KV line (that is 25 meters on both sides).
As a matter of fact, in compliance with the directive issued by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to Distribution Companies (DISCOs), instructing them to disconnect power supply to all structures, buildings and premises that are in violation of the Power line Right-of-way (ROW), EEDC has since commenced disconnection of erring properties within its network.
Ezeh affirmed that EEDC is in full liaison with relevant government agencies to ensure this directive is carried out effectively.
“We have been disconnecting properties identified to be in violation, and working closely with relevant government agencies, some of these structures have been demolished”, Ezeh said.
Ezeh also said that EEDC has applied various communication medium in sensitising its customers on the need to be safety conscious by observing these clearance levels.
“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 went ahead to mention that there are situations where electricity lines sag or snap, and if the specified clearance level is not observed, lives of people living within the area will be exposed to possible electrocution.
Adherence to power line Right-of-way as well as these clearance levels will go a long way in safe guarding not only lives of the citizens, but also their properties.
EMEKA EZEH
HEAD, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, EEDC
