Health & Safety: How 26 personnel died in Nigeria’s power sector
There are indications that the accident rate remained high in Nigeria’s power sector, as 26 personnel died in the second quarter of 2020, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.
In its just-released Second Quarter2020 report obtained by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, NERC, stated: “The Commission received a total of 114 accident reports from the licensed operators during the second quarter of 2020. The accident, unfortunately, resulted in 26 deaths and 12 injuries of various degrees involving both employees of the companies and the third parties.
“This indicates a significant decline in the health & safety performance of the operators during 2020/Q2 when compared with the first quarter of 2020 when 9 deaths and 4 injuries were recorded.
“The Commission, in line with its mandate to ensure safe and reliable electricity services, has commenced enforcement on some of the incidents involving various safety breaches during the quarter. On account of the Commission’s stand for zero tolerance on safety breaches in NESI and, in line with its strategic goals 2017-2020, the Commission has intensified its monitoring and implementation of various safety programs aimed at reducing accidents in NESI.”
It also added: “The safety programs being implemented by the Commission include, but not limited to, the standardization of system protection schemes, public enlightenment on the safe use of electricity, a review of an operational procedure for Distribution System Operators (“DSO”) on fault clearing and engagement of stakeholders on Right of Way (“RoW”) violation.”
