…Company begins probe
The MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) in Enugu State has confirmed the electrocution of one of its staff, Mr. Issac Dike, a linesman attached to its Ogui District.
The Head of Communications, MEDL, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to him, the incident occurred on Wednesday, April 1, at about 3:25p.m., while the deceased was carrying out a yet-to-be-established activity within a 300KVA/11KV/0.415KV distribution substation located on Giraffe Street, Ekulu East Estate (Zoo Estate), Enugu.
Ezeh said that his lifeless body was subsequently brought down from the high-tension pole and taken to the Emergency Unit of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Colliery, Enugu, where he was confirmed dead.
The spokesman noted that the incident was reported at the Abakaliki Road Police Station, Enugu, and his remains were later deposited at the morgue.
Ezeh said that a detailed investigation into the incident would be conducted.
“However, preliminary findings revealed that the deceased had gone to the location with a driver assigned to his team, who claimed he was unaware of the specific work activity that took them to the estate.
“The driver also said he was unaware of the identity of the customer who allegedly requested the service.
“Further investigation indicated that the deceased did not inform any member of his team about his movement to Ekulu East Estate (popularly known as Zoo Estate) for any work-related activity.
“Checks on the company’s fault report log and its Complaint Management System (CMS) showed no record of any complaint from customers in Ekulu East Estate prior to the incident,” he said.
The spokesman added that there was also no record of any approved outage request for work to be carried out in the area on the day of the incident.
“This suggest that the accident may have resulted from an unauthorised or illegal activity.
“It is unfortunate that we lost him under such circumstances. Our hearts go out to his family, and we pray for the repose of his soul,” Ezeh said.
Meanwhile, some residents of the area described late Dike as a very dedicated staff member of the electricity company.
According to Chief Hyginus Abugu, the sudden death of Issac remains a huge shock to me and all lovers of the hard-working man.
“His type is rare, and we mourn him with a lot of regrets. I pray for the gentle repose of his soul and ask God to grant his immediate family a very quick succor”.
