PHED warns residents against trading, erection of structures under high tension wires

The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has warned members of the public in its coverage areas, who were in the habit of trading under high tension lines in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states, to desist from the act as they risked being electrocuted.

 

The warning according the manager, corporate communications PHED, John Onyi did not exclude those who are planning or have already erected structures under the power lines. Onyi, made known the company’s position on trading and erecting structures under high tension lines, said, it was part of the electricity distribution company’s public awareness campaign, tagged: “Why you should not trade under high tension lines.” It was organized by the company in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

 

The PHED spokesman stated that many lives have been lost due to non-adherence to safety standards; adding that last month, a 14-year old boy lost his life when a line snapped on the Abuloma 11KVA feeder pole and rested on top of the building.

 

He said a safe distance on 11KVA feeder pole stands at 5.5 metres, while 33KVA pole is 12.5 metres. The safe distance for 132KVA line is 25 metres, while for a 415KVA power line, a safe distance should not be anything less than 1.5 kilometres. Onyi noted that some members of the public have habitually jettisoned the safety rules, hence the company was calling for concerted efforts in enforcing the safety standards, in order to save lives by the relevant authorities.

 

According to him, the door-to-door safety awareness campaign on the dangers inherent in trading or living under high tension power lines, especially those found to have contravened the safety standards, is PHED’s idea aimed at curbing cases of injury and deaths that result from line snapping.