Power: 111 electrocuted in 2017 – NERC

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

No fewer than one hundred and eleven persons have lost their lives through electrocution across Nigeria, in 2017, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
This was revealed by the NERC’s official, Engineer Abdulrasheed Busari, at a Town Hall Meeting on Promoting Electricity Consumer Awareness in the Power Sector, held in Kano State, yesterday.
Abdulrasheed, while making a presentation titled; Health and Safety Issues: The dangers of building under DISCO’s Power lines/right of way, also disclosed that 17 fatal incidences of electricity were recorded in the year under review.
He added that 321 electricity incidences were recorded across the country, last year, adding that the electricity regulator and the Distribution Companies (DISCO’s) must rise up to check the trend.
He explained that there was electricity health and safety codes which stipulate tje standard of using electricity in Nigeria, urging the DISCO’s to ensure that consumers comply with the codes.
“The codes include, ensuring that there must be at least 3.5 metre gap between a house and a power line. If it is heavy line, there should be at least 5.3 metres. In the case of 3KV Lines, there should be 6.5 metre distance from a house.
“I urge DISCO’s to ensure the dissemination of this Information in a bid to tame the rampant electricity accidents in this country. I advise you to be organising enlightenment programmes frequently until all the citizens are enlightened.
“Let me also advised people to be mindful of maintaining and replacing electricity appliances at homes as at when due. This would help a great deal in saving our lives and properties,” he advised.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner Cosumer Affairs, NERC, Moses Arigu, said the meeting was convened in order to edjcate the consumers on their rights and obligations, health and safety, customer complaints redress mechanism, energy conservation and other lingering issues that consumers may be facing.