Stay away from power lines – Ikeja Electric warns traders, public

An electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), has
warned traders and the 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 DAILY POST, 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 lamented that despite the persistent enlightenment campaigns to
sensitise the public on inherent dangers of life-threatening
activities, somepeople 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 movepeople 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.