SEECA warns S’East residents against electrocution

From Jude Chinedu, Enugu

The South-East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) has warned residents across the region to stay away from fallen electricity poles and power cables, particularly during rainfall, flooding and windstorms, to prevent electrocution and other life-threatening accidents.

The association also commended MainPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited for its prompt response to electricity faults, particularly the restoration of power following a vehicular accident that damaged electricity poles in New Haven, Enugu.

Speaking with newsmen in Enugu, yesterday, SEECA Coordinator, Dr Sebastine Okafor, urged residents to observe safety precautions during adverse weather conditions, warning that fallen poles, exposed wires, and damaged electrical installations could pose serious dangers.

“Residents should avoid approaching fallen electricity poles and cables, especially during rainfall and flooding, because such installations may still be live and could cause electrocution. Safety must be everyone’s priority,” he said.

Okafor cautioned residents against attempting to repair fallen electricity poles, damaged power lines or electrical installations themselves, stressing that such work should be handled only by qualified personnel from the relevant electricity distribution companies.

He said human life should take precedence over property and uninterrupted electricity supply, noting that it was better to suffer property damage or remain without electricity for days or months than to lose a life through electrocution.

The SEECA coordinator also expressed concern over the destruction of electricity poles by haulage vehicles, warning that reckless driving could damage critical infrastructure, disrupt power supply and expose residents to serious safety risks.

“Drivers of heavy-duty vehicles must understand that destroying electricity poles can disrupt power supply, endanger lives, damage property, and expose people to electrocution. We appeal to them to drive responsibly and protect public infrastructure,” he said. He urged relevant authorities to hold drivers who damage electricity infrastructure accountable, while calling on haulage vehicle operators to exercise caution, particularly during adverse weather conditions.

Okafor commended MainPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited for its prompt intervention following the vehicular accident in New Haven, Enugu, which damaged electricity poles and disrupted power supply in affected areas.

“We appreciate MainPower for its prompt intervention and restoration of electricity following the New Haven incident. We encourage electricity distribution companies to sustain this response, strengthen routine inspections, and replace weakened poles to prevent avoidable accidents,” he said.

The SEECA coordinator urged residents across the South East to promptly report fallen or leaning electricity poles, exposed wires, damaged installations and fallen power cables to the appropriate electricity distribution companies.

He warned that failure to report such hazards could expose unsuspecting members of the public to electrocution and other life-threatening accidents.

“Whenever residents notice a fallen pole, exposed wire, damaged installation or any other electricity-related hazard, they should immediately report it to the relevant electricity distribution company and keep a safe distance from the affected area. Never assume that a cable is safe simply because there is no electricity supply. Prompt reporting can help prevent avoidable deaths and enable qualified personnel to respond quickly,” Okafor said.

He reiterated that residents must not touch, move, reconnect, or attempt to repair damaged electricity infrastructure, even when power supply has been interrupted, as fallen cables and damaged installations could still be live.

Okafor called on political, religious and community leaders, residents’ associations, and other stakeholders to intensify public awareness campaigns on electricity safety and encourage the prompt reporting of faults.

He urged residents to prioritise human life by keeping away from electrical hazards and leaving repairs and emergency interventions to qualified personnel from the relevant electricity distribution companies.

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