*** Commiserates with victims’ families
BY AKUDORO GLORIA
Following the report of the electricity surge that occurred in Calabar, Cross River State, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has pledged to make sure that such avoidable incident does not reoccur again.
The Minister who received report of the incident by the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation and the Managing Director of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, commiserated with the victims’ families.
According to the report, the incident which occurred on Saturday, March 2, 2024 in Calabar South Local Government of Cross River State left two individuals injured.
The report also stated that the victims of the electricity accident who were identified as Chijioke Udoji and Uzoma Anthony are currently receiving treatment at the Calabar General Hospital.
The Minister had immediately directed an investigation into the incident immediately it occurred. The investigating team was led Engr. Tahir and top officials of NEMSA, according to the report.
“It will be recalled that video of the electrical surge began circulating on social media on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The video showed some individuals struggling to escape the scene of the surge which led to a fire outbreak on one of the electrical poles and cables falling on some shops in the area. Two individual later identified as Chijioke Udoji and Uzoma Anthony, traders on Chamley Street, where the incident happened were observed to have been injured”, the report stated.
The report also revealed that Engr. Tahir had immediately the incident occurred, dispatched two NEMSA officials in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and Port Harcourt, Rivers State to the venue of the incident.
“On getting the information, NEMSA Management immediately dispatched her key officials in Uyo and Port Harcourt to Calabar. They were Engr. Lucky Igweh, NEMSA Area Inspecting Engineer in Uyo Akwa Ibom State and Engr. Yusuf Jamila, Area Inspecting Engineer, Port Harcourt. They were to conduct preliminary investigation on the incident”, the report stated.
Consequent upon the report submitted by the duo, Igweh and Jamila, Engr. Tahir said he immediately led two management of the Agency to the venue of the incident – namely; General Manager, Technical Services, Engr. Haruna Ndabida and the Media and Public Relations Consultant to NEMSA, Dr. Obinna Nwachukwu.
The team also visited the victims of the incident at Calabar General hospital where they were receiving treatment.
“We have visited the two survivors at the Calabar General hospital and we thank God that this accident did not result to loss of lives and properties. From what we saw, they are responding to treatment. It is an unfortunate but preventable accident. The utility company has owned up to it and has promised to refund the medical expenses of the victims. We urge them to do that immediately”, the report stated.
