Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has fined the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) N18.1 million for its complicity in the electrocution of a boy at Kabusa village of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The commission also directed the electricity distribution companies 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).
According to a statement issued by the commission, the directive was sequel to an investigation into electrocution of a seven year old minor in Abuja.
It said in a statement that the AEDC was found liable in the untimely death of the minor for its improper maintenance of a low voltage aluminium conductor in Kabusa area of Abuja.
It said the company was found liable because its failed to act even after residents had complained over the facility.
The commission said the AEDC should pay N18million compensation to the deceased family and N100, 000 fines to the market for its negligence and failure to report the accident as and when due.
The statement informed that the Accident Investigation Team of the commission that looked into the incident discovered that AEDC failed in its responsibilities to respond to complaints by Kabusa residents that a snapped 0.415kV aluminium conductor was hanging precariously close to the ground not until the deceased minor accidentally came in contact with it and got electrocuted.
It said: “The investigators discovered that Kabusa area has “haphazard and unkempt network which constitutes manifest breach of the Electric Power Sector Reform, NESIS Regulations, Health and Safety Code besides other regulatory instruments.”
While the company is to pay the compensation to the deceased family, it will pay the fine to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in line with Section 88 (12) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.
Giving further clarification of the Commission’s ruling, the Acting Chairman, Dr. Anthony Akah, said the directive for renewal of
comprehensive insurance had general application to electricity distribution companies whose insurance policies have expired.
He warned that: “Stiffer sanctions await any electricity distribution companies over electrocution or any established case of negligence within their networks.”
He also expressed worry over rising incidences of electrocutions.
