Council sets up committee over residents’ electrocution in Delta community

Following the electrocution of a mother of four and livestock and the destruction of many household properties in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, chairman of the council, Chief Isaac Anwuzia, has set up a sensitisation committee to ensure that all electricity lines are in good order before the entire community is fully joined to the grid.

Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune, Anwuzia said most of the electricity poles and wires were still on the ground when the Benin Electricity Distribution Company energised the community and the lines snapped following high voltage.

Anwuzia, who bemoaned the disaster, said since there was no electricity in the community for over seven years, wires in the ceiling of houses which were likely to have been destroyed by rodents, cable bridging and cables lying on buildings should have  been identified before the distribution company restored power.

The chairman, who has since briefed the 24 president-generals of the various communities in the area  on the incident, regretted that the restoration of power in the community turned the people’s joy to sorrow, adding that a similar electrocution occurred in nearby Ubulu-Uku community where a young boy was killed.

He, however, advised BEDC to do the needful so that the community could enjoy electricity after many years of being in blackout.

On his part, the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Chukwuka Okonjo, said the death of the woman and damage of other properties had brought sorrow to the entire community.

He  advised  authorities of BEDC to ensure that the necessary connections were done before full restoration of power.

Also commenting, the Public Affairs Officer of BEDC, Mrs Esther Okolie, said the distribution company had dispatched its safety team to the community as “we are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure the safety of the people.”