Flooding, Windstorms: SEECA Warns South-East Residents To Guard Against Electrocution
The South-East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) has warned South-East residents to guard against electrocution resulting from exposed electrical installations due to downpours, flooding and windstorms to prevent electrocution.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Coordinator of SEECA, Dr. Sebastine Okafor, on Tuesday in Enugu.
Okafor noted that there had been increased in fallen electricity poles, damaged power lines and exposed electrical installations within the zone in the last two months; thus, drawing attention to safety concerns.
He urged all residents to stay away from fallen electricity poles, exposed wires and damaged power cables, as such installations might remain live even when electricity supply had been interrupted.
According to him, no one should touch, move, reconnect or attempt to repair damaged electricity infrastructure under any circumstances without being a certified technician and authorised.
He said, “SEECA strongly cautions electricity consumers against undertaking personal repairs on fallen poles, damaged power lines or electrical installations.
“All repairs and emergency interventions must be handled by qualified personnel from the relevant electricity distribution companies.
“The association maintains that human life is more valuable than property or interrupted electricity supply.
“Residents should never risk their lives in an attempt to restore electricity or retrieve property around damaged electrical installations.”
The coordinator also expressed concern over the destruction of electricity poles by haulage vehicles and calls on drivers of heavy-duty vehicles to exercise caution and protect public infrastructure.
He called on relevant authorities to ensure that drivers responsible for damaging electricity infrastructure are held accountable for their actions.
Okafor commended MainPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited for its prompt response to the vehicular accident in New Haven, Enugu, which brought down electricity poles and disrupted power supply recently.
He encouraged the company to sustain its prompt response to faults, strengthen routine inspections and replace weakened poles to prevent avoidable accidents.
“SEECA calls on all electricity consumers across the South-East to promptly report fallen or leaning poles, exposed wires, damaged electrical installations and fallen power cables to the appropriate electricity distribution companies.
“Residents must keep a safe distance from affected areas while awaiting the arrival of qualified personnel.
“The association also calls on political, religious and community leaders, residents’ associations and other stakeholders to intensify public awareness campaigns on electricity safety, particularly during rainfall, flooding, erosion and windstorms.
“The prompt reporting of electrical hazards and strict compliance with safety precautions remain essential to preventing avoidable deaths and protecting lives and property across the South-East,” he said.
