At least 59 electricity workers lost their lives in the line of duty between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The commission reported that 23 workers died in 55 accidents in the first quarter of 2024, while 36 workers died in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The NERC disclosed that the major causes of casualties included wire snaps, illegal/unauthorised access, acts of vandalism, unsafe acts/conditions, and falls from height. The commission stated that it had launched investigations into all the accidents and would continue to work with stakeholders to improve the overall health and safety of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
Adetayo Adegbemle, Convener and Executive Director of PowerUp Nigeria, expressed concerns over the lack of basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among Disco staff, saying, “This is a serious issue that’s been bothering me.
Honestly, I believe our regulators need to intervene in this.” He called for more safety campaigns and regulatory interventions to curb the situation.
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