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The sector recorded 26 deaths.
- A total of 114 electricity-related injuries
- NERC commences safety enforcements
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in its 2020 Q2 report, has disclosed that the sector suffered from a decline in safety standards. The report shows that the deaths from electricity-related incidents rose to 26 in Q2 alone. The sector suffered 114 cases of injuries arising from electricity-related incidents.
According to the report obtained from the NERC, electricity-related deaths rose from 9 of the preceding quarter to 26 in Q2, 2020. This indicates an increase of more than 400%. In the previous quarter, the sector had only 4 cases of electricity-related injuries compared to 114 in Q2. “The commission received a total of 114 accident reports from the licensed operators during the second quarter of 2020. The accidents, unfortunately, resulted in 26 deaths and 12 injuries of various degrees involving both employees of the companies and the third parties,” the report stated.
In line with the Commission’s mandate to ensure safety compliance in the sector, the Commission has begun the implementation of all safety standards and codes. The programs being implemented by the Commission include the standardization of system protection schemes, public enlightenment on the safe use of electricity. The Commission says it will also carry out a review of the operational procedure for Distribution System Operators (DSO) on fault clearing and engage stakeholders on Right of Way (RoW) violations.