By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has received the report of the electricity surge that occurred in Calabar, Cross River State penultimate Saturday, which left some individuals injured.
The report was submitted by the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation and the Managing Director of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Engineer Tukur Tahir who visited the scene of the incident in Calabar South Local Government, Cross River State.
Receiving the report, Adelabu vowed to ensure that such avoidable incident does not occur again, and expressed sympathy to the victims injured during the incident.
The Minister had immediately directed an investigation into the incident immediately it occurred.
A social media video had showed some individuals struggling to escape the scene of the surge which led to a fire outbreak on one of the electrical poles and cables falling on some shops in the area.
Two individual later identified as Chijioke Udoji and Uzoma Anthony, traders on Chamley Street, where the incident happened were observed to have been injured.
According to Engineer Tahir, immediately the incident occurred, he had dispatched two NEMSA officials in Uyo, Abia State and Port Harcourt, Rivers State to the venue of the incident.
“On getting the information, NEMSA Management immediately dispatched her key officials in Uyo and Port Harcourt to Calabar. They were Engr. Lucky Igweh, NEMSA Area Inspecting Engineer in Uyo Akwa Ibom State and Engr. Yusuf Jamila, Area Inspecting Engineer, Port Harcourt. They were to conduct preliminary investigation on the incident”, the report stated.
Tahir said based on the submission of the report by the duo of Igweh and Jamila, he led the management of NEMSA to the venue of the incident.
On the CEO’s delegation were the General Manager, Technical Services, Engr. Haruna Ndabida, the Media and Public Relations Consultant to NEMSA, Dr. Obinna Nwachukwu.
The team also visited the victims of the incident at Calabar General hospital where they were receiving treatment.
“We have visited the two survivors at the Calabar General hospital and we thank God that this accident did not result to loss of lives and properties. From what we saw, they are responding to treatment.
“It is an unfortunate but preventable accident. The utility company has owned up to it and has promised to refund the medical expenses of the victims. We urge them to do that immediately”, the report stated.
