The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has released data showing that no fewer than 96 Nigerians were electrocuted while 74 were injured nationwide in power-related incidents in 2022.
The agency said in the report that the dead and the injured involved electricity customers and officials of some of the electricity distribution companies (Discos) nationwide.
According to the report, 37 persons were electrocuted in the first quarter of 2022, 29 in the second quarter, 12, in the third quarter and 18 in the fourth quarter.
Of the 74 persons injured during the period, 18 incidents occurred in quarter one, 24 in the second quarter and five and 27 in the third and fourth quarters.
Although NERC is empowered and actually does sanction Discos when such incidents happen and operators flout its health and safety regulations, victims complain that compensation is usually meagre compared to the lifelong impacts the incidents have on the dead, injured and their loved ones.
NERC had in 2017 directed all the 11 Discos in the country to renew their comprehensive insurance as provided under Part 5 Section 5.2 of the Health and Safety Code for the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), stressing that, “stiffer sanctions await any electricity distribution companies over electrocution or any established case of negligence within their networks.”
It further accused some Discos of placing commercial gains above safety standards and specifications by sheer negligence.
But NERC in the latest report stated that in accordance with section 32(1)(e) of the enabling law, the commission had continued to monitor health and safety performance in the industry to guarantee the delivery of safe and reliable electricity to Nigerians.
The report showed that out of the 87 mandatory health and safety reports expected from licensees in 2022/Q1, the commission received a total of 78, but said as of the time of the report, Sapele and Egbin Power had two outstanding submissions each, while Yola Disco, Agip power, Geregu power, Shell power and Shiroro power each had one outstanding report.
“The commission has developed new processes to track the submission of statutory reports (including the health and safety report) by licensees which will guide the implementation of relevant actions against licensees that do not meet their obligations.
“The health and safety reports were analysed in line with the provisions of Section 32(1)(e) of ESPRA for monitoring and evaluating of health and safety performance of licensees to ensure that operators abide by their responsibility of delivering safe electricity services to consumers,” NERC added.
Of the deaths and injuries, NERC stated that the commission had launched investigations into all the reported incidents with a view to understanding the root causes and meting out relevant actions against the licensees, where applicable.
In line with its strategic goals, the commission said it had intensified efforts at implementing various safety programmes aimed at eliminating accidents in the industry.
“Some of the safety programmes implemented by the commission include the standardisation of protective schemes, public enlightenment on health & safety,” it added.
It also noted that the commission was engaging the relevant government agencies on right of way violations, and a review of an operational procedure for distribution system operators on fault clearing.
