Rivers
Power Surge Kills 2 In Okrika
Two persons have been confirmed dead and several others injured as a result of power surge at Ogan mainland and Fiberesima Ama all in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to one of the victims, Mrs. Justina Moses, the incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, also led to the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
Meanwhile, the Sole Administrator of Okirika Local Government Area, Engr. Tamunobipiye Isodiki, has confirmed the incident.
Isodiki, who visited the affected communities, also expressed shock over the incident and also called on the management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) to upgrade their facilities to avoid future occurrence of such an incident.
The Sole Administrator also stressed the need for PHED to be vigilant and improve efficiency and capacity to safeguard the lives and property of the indigenes of the area.
While blaming the incident on low quality cables and improper wiring, he said the incident could have been avoided if the distribution company had been vigilant.
“It is obvious that the power upsurge is the cause as well as low quality cables, improper wiring and very poor connections.
“I feel very sorry for the loss of two lives, the complete burning of one house and partial destruction/burning of about five other houses.
“PHED should not just be interested in collecting money or revenue from their consumers, but also be interested in seeing to it that proper connections and wiring are done in people’s premises”, he said.
Isodiki also advised consumers of electricity to be careful with their electrical appliances and avoid illegal connection.
According to him, those that have been displaced as a result of the fire outbreak should seek shelters with their neighbours while the council seeks for ways of helping them.
He said the two persons who died in the incident should be blamed for attempting to change face or put up power on the fuse box.
Earlier, while conducting the Sole Administrator and his team round the affected communities, the immediate past caretaker Committee chairperson of Okrika Local Government Area, Princess Ibinabo Ogan, and Chief Ebenezer Ogan said the incident happened around midnight when people were still in bed.
According to them, but for timely intervention of some youths, more lives and property would have been lost.
Also speaking, the PHED Okirika service centre Manager, Engr. Ellis Anjumbo, said the 11 KV line snapped and fell on the lower 415 line and unto 16mm that caused the upsurge.
Mrs. Justina Moses, who was one of the victims, appealed to the Sole Administrator to assist them in getting alternative accommodation and financial support.
John Bibor, Confidence Daniel, Bekwele Homa