NERC tells operators to comply with rules as power accidents claim 453 lives

At least 453 persons were electrocuted in 46 months between 2015 and October 2018, latest report of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has shown.

At the Power Safety Summit (PSS) in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, urged power sector operators to comply with NERC rules on right of way and safety operations to reduce the figure.

Fashola who represented by was the Director, Distribution, in the ministry, Engr. Briskila Sapke, said, “We have made concerted effort in recent times to stakeholders to intervene on encroachment of right of way of power lines which hinders maintenance.”

Still harping on industry safety, Fashola said more power was coming with the signing of the 3,050mw Mambilla hydropower and the 700mw Zungeru hydro which he revealed would be ready in 2019.

The Managing Director of NEMSA, Engr. Peter Ewesor, charged operators in the power sector on working to attain zero target for accidents and electrocutions in the sector.

He gave the electrical accidents breakdown to include 113 deaths occurring from 110 accidents in 2015; 140 deaths from 124 accidents in 2016; 95 accidents caused 113 electrocution in 2017. From January to October 2018, NEMSA reported 87 deaths that resulted from 82 accidents.

Engr. Ewesor said, “Operators present should note that what we are working at is zero electrical accidents, and most especially electrocution.”