To avert a possible repeat of the Calabar viewing centre tragedy, the Delta State government has announced its readiness to demolish structures built under high tension electricity cables across the state.
This was made known by the Commissioner of the Delta State Ministry of Environment, Mr John Nani, in a statement issued and made available to journalists in the state.
He noted that erecting permanent structures and shanties under high and low tension cables by some individuals in the state, which also defaces the aesthetic value of the environment, must be discourage to save lives.
Nani, therefore, advised all owners of such structures built under high and low tension cables to dismantle and remove the resultant materials on or before May 20, 2017.
“Electricity system produces extremely high frequency electromagnetic field which comes under non-ionizing radiations which can cause health effects.
Apart from human effect, the electrostatic coupling and electromagnetic interference of high voltage transmission lines have impact on plants and telecommunication equipment mainly operating in frequency range below UHF.
The voltage level of high power transmission lines are 400KV, 230KV, 110KV, 66KV etc.
The electromagnetic field from high power transmission lines pose serious threat to human health as the effect of electrostatic field can cause damage of DNA, risk of cancer, miscarriage for pregnant women, leukemia and in most cases death,” he warned.
The commissioner, therefore, disclosed that the ministry would embark on a crucial demolition exercise to remove all illegal structures built under high and low tension cables in the state.
He urged the people of the state not to build beyond the strips of land provided as right of way for high tension installations in the state.
According to him, the Right of Way serves as buffer to decrease the effects of the energised line including magnetic and electric field effects.
He advised owners of all illegal structures to adhere to the instruction as defaulters would be sanctioned in accordance with extant laws.