Stay away from power lines, Ikeja Electric warns traders, public
By Abolaji Adebayo
An electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), has warned the traders and public to desist from building structures and engaging in social and economic activities under power lines.
The company stated that the specific clearance/distance which the public must maintain away from a 33/11KV lines is 5.5 meters (20ft) on both sides, while for 132KV lines the distance must be 15 meters (50ft) on both sides and 330KV lines must have a clearance of 25meters (60ft) on both sides.
In a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue and made available to Echonews, the Head of Quality, Safety, Health & Environment (QHSE), Engr. Jamiu Badmos, explained that carrying out social and economic activities under power lines exposes people’s lives to danger, leading to the risk of electrocution.
According to him, fatality within the energy sector could be prevented if the public religiously adhere to precautions and avoid activities close to electrical installations.
“As a responsible service provider, we are aware of our obligation to ensure that every resident within our network is kept safe, especially bearing in mind the hazardous nature of electricity so we are using this medium to remind the public that electrical installations are harmful and must be avoided as much as is possible. Our appeal to customers to avoid activities under power lines must be taken seriously, especially as the integrity of old cables cannot always be guaranteed,” he said.
He revealed that despite the persistent enlightenment campaigns to sensitise the public on inherent dangers of life-threatening activities, some people still disregard the warning.
Badmos therefore called for the intervention of the government and relevant stakeholders in stemming the ugly development by declaring activities under power lines illegal and move people and markets away from the danger spots to save lives and properties.
He added that customers can report cases of illegal structures under power lines, illegal connections and vandalism of equipment through Ikeja Electric customer care help lines numbers: 01-4483900, 0700-0-2255-43, 070-7000-250 or send mail via customercare@ikejaelectric.com.
“As a company that places high prioritize to safety in line with its Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) policy, Ikeja Electric has consistently championed initiatives that entrench the culture of safety to ensure no live of staff, contractors or customers is lost through electrocution.
“Recently, the company unveiled its Mission Slogan for 2019. The slogan, ‘Mission Zero-Take Ownership’, is a rallying cry for all stakeholders to take responsibility in ensuring that the network recording zero fatality in 2019.
“The Four-pronged Safety approach unveiled by IE’s safety team, Mission ZERO, focuses on four main areas: Zero Injuries to customers, visitors, contractors and employers; Zero Tolerance of unsafe behaviour and acts; Zero Compromise on Safety generally and Zero Impact on families and communities at large,” he explained.
