The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has reported that electricity distribution companies (DisCos) accounted for majority of the safety challenges and wholly for the casualties recorded in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) in the first quarter of this year.
The industry regulator, in its first quarter report disclosed that the DisCos accounted for 100% of casualties recorded in the quarter under review compared to the 100%, 92.98% and 93.33% in 2024/Q2, 2024/Q3 and 2024/Q4, respectively.
However, the report indicated that despite the high rate of casualties recorded by the companies, Aba Power, Kano, and Yola DisCos did not record casualties.
According to the report, in the quarter under review, the power generation companies (GenCos) recorded no casualty,
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The NERC’s report further reflected that out of the 26 casualties reported in the quarter, the licensees with the highest number of casualties were Benin DisCo, 6; Eko DisCo,5; and Ibadan DisCo,5; representing 23.07%, 19.23%, and 19.23% of the total casualties, respectively.
Also, during the quarter under review, the total number of accidents recorded was 31, fatalities (employees and third party) were 12, while recorded injuries totalled 14.
The commission attributed the causes of the casualties to wire snaps, illegal/unauthorised access, vandalism, unsafe acts/conditions and falls from heights, adding that in Q1 this year Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) recorded 8 cases of damage to property/infrastructure due to explosions, fire outbreaks or acts of vandalism
In a Note on the report’s findings, the Commission disclosed that it had commenced investigations into all reported accidents and will enforce appropriate actions where necessary, adding that it will continues to closely monitor the implementation of licensees’ accident reduction strategies for the NESI.
The NERC stated: “The Commission also organises various programs, including the Health and Safety Manager’s Meeting, aimed at improving the health and safety performance of the NESI.
“The biannual Health and Safety Manager’s meetings organised by the Commission with health and safety officers of licensees are aimed at discussing the reporting obligations of licensees as well as health and safety matters. During the meetings, licensees’ scorecards on compliance with health and safety standards are discussed”, it added.
While noting some areas of improvements in the NESI, the Commission maintained that it would continue to ensure that all licensees comply with the subsisting performance standards in the industry.
In addition, the NERC stated that it was involved in settlement processes between licensees and families of accident victims in the NESI to ensure transparency of the settlement process and to help the victim’s family secure fair compensation for losses suffered.
In addition, it disclosed that in the first quarter of this year it oversaw the successful conclusion of two compensation negotiations between licensees and families of victims of the accidents.
