First Power Electricity Distribution Company Limited (FirstPower) has threatened to disconnect all buildings that encroached on its power lines in Anambra State.
Ahead of the execution of the action, a team of the company’s officials led by its head of Health , Safety and Environment, Mr Tosin Fadairo, visited some affected buildings and street-trading spots in Awka, the state capital yesterday to sensitise the occupants on the dangers posed to them by staying under high tension wires.
The team distributed written warning notices to the occupants of the affected buildings, other structures, as well as street traders operating under the high tension wires.
The disconnection warning notice, entitled “Disconnection of Power Supply to All Structures, Buildings and Premises Directly Under Power Lines or Within Right-of-Way of Transmission and Distribution Power Lines”, was signed by the managing director/CEO and chief electrical inspector of the federation, Engr. Peter Ewesor.
The management lamented that in the recent times, there had been incessant electrical accidents and electrocution arising from snapped overhead (O-H) lines dropping on structures built under power lines or within the right-of-way (ROW) of those power lines.
“A recent case in point is the recent tragedy that occurred in Nyaghasang community in Calabar where eight ( 8) persons were out rightly electrocuted while eleven (11) others survived with severe injuries “, the notice contained.
During the sensitisation exercise, Fadairo advised that every structure and street trader should stay 5.5 metres away from the middle cable of any power line.
“FirstPower is interested in the safety of its customers and members of the public at large.
“Nobody should stay under the conductor of FirstPower. Every building, structure and kiosks should be 5.5 metres away on both sides from the middle wire of High Tension Network”, Fadairo warned while addressing some of those his team encountered at the popular Aroma junction area of Awka during the sensitisation.
He lamented that the electricity distribution company has received sad reports recently about persons who became victims of snapped overhead lines, and, warned that the company would not be held responsible about the cases of such victims.
He also stated that the encroachment was affecting their company’s electricity supply services.
Responding to questions from newsmen, Fadairo stated that the electricity management has already written to the authorities of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), and Awka Physical Planning Board urging the agencies to enforce compliance to the FirstPower right of way by residents, but, lamented that compliance has not been satisfactory.
He lamented that his team during the sensitisation noticed that a particular street trader who was a victim of electricity wire drop at Aroma about a week ago was seen on the same spot under the High Tension, and, advised that people should prioritise their safety while struggling to eke a living.