By Michael Ovat -Awka
The Management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has taken its public safety awareness campaign to markets, roadside trading points, transport loading areas and other locations where members of the public are regularly exposed to electrical hazards.
The latest phase of the campaign covered Oyi and Anambra East Local Government Areas, as well as adjoining communities in Dunukofia Local Government Area, with particular attention to places where residential, commercial and transport activities are taking place within or dangerously close to electricity power line corridors.
Led by the Head of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), FirstPower, Engr. Tosin Caleb Fadairo, the sensitization exercise took the safety message to Ezinkeje, Nteje, Otuocha, Aguleri, Umunya, Awkuzu, Ezinkwo, Ukwulu Ore and Nawgu, as well as major routes and busy activity points along the Ukpo–Ukwulu Road, Ifite–Ukpo Road, Ifitedunu–Otuocha Road, Otoko Road and parts of Nteje.
The campaign was prompted by growing concern over people carrying out trading, transportation, construction and other daily activities directly beneath or dangerously close to electricity lines.
During the exercise, the FirstPower safety team interacted with traders, customers, motorcycle riders, tricycle operators, roadside vendors, pedestrians and other members of the public, drawing attention to the serious danger posed by activities carried out too close to power lines and electricity poles.
The Management particularly warned against erecting stalls, canopies, kiosks, shops or other temporary structures under or too close to overhead power lines. Traders and residents were also advised not to extend umbrellas, poles, banners, metal rods or other long objects towards power lines, as these can come into contact with conductors (electric wires) or create a dangerous electrical path even without direct physical contact.
Tricycle operators and other transport workers were equally cautioned against loading or offloading passengers and goods directly under power lines, especially where passengers, goods, metallic vehicle components or long objects could come dangerously close to the conductors or power lines.
The use of metal ladders around electrical installations was also strongly discouraged. FirstPower warned that metal is a dangerous conductor of electricity and that a metal ladder, iron or other conductive material coming close to an energised power line can result in electric shock, severe burns, electrocution or death.
Beyond verbal engagement, the exercise also featured the distribution of safety awareness materials, especially flyers, to enlighten the public on the dangers of violating or carrying out trading and other activities under the power line right-of-way.
The Management further reminded members of the public that electricity installations are not facilities to be tampered with by unqualified persons. Residents and traders were urged not to attempt repairs, move electrical equipment, interfere with poles or lines, or carry out activities that could compromise the safety of the electricity network.
The public was further advised to exercise extra caution during rainfall and flooding, as wet conditions can increase the risk associated with damaged electrical installations, fallen lines and contact with electrically energised surfaces. The public was consequently urged to keep away from fallen or damaged power lines and immediately report such incidents to FirstPower rather than attempting to handle them.
Engr. Fadairo said the awareness campaign was part of FirstPower’s continuing commitment to protecting lives and promoting safe interaction with electricity. He noted that the essence was not only to educate the public but also to prevent avoidable accidents and protect lives in communities where electricity infrastructure and human activities exist in close proximity.
He stressed that safety around electricity cannot be left to the Distribution Company alone, noting that communities, traders, transport operators, property owners and other members of the public all have important roles to play in preventing avoidable accidents. He also advocated a stronger safety culture and a sense of commitment among members the public whereby commercial and everyday activities can be carried out without unnecessarily exposing lives to avoidable risks
The FirstPower Management therefore appealed to community leaders, market associations, transport unions, landlords, residents and business owners to discourage activities within power line corridors and promptly report dangerous situations around electricity installations.
The company also called on members of the public to always assume that a power line is energised and dangerous, regardless of whether it appears to be carrying electricity at the time or not. People should never wait to see a spark, wire snap or power-related accident before taking a power line seriously.
The company said it would continue taking safety education to more communities, markets, schools, churches, roadsides and other high-activity locations across Anambra State, while also urging residents to cooperate with its safety personnel and heed warnings concerning power line right-of-way violations.
FirstPower called on everyone to make safety a personal responsibility, stressing that no trading space, transport loading point, canopy, construction activity or commercial gain is worth a human life.
The information was contained in a statement signed and issued to Journalists in Awka on Wednesday by the Head, Communication, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Mr Izunna Okafor.
