Calabar Electrocution ‘Man-made, Avoidable’, Says Fashola

Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has described the electrocution of scores of football fans in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, on April 20, as “man-made and avoidable”.

The tragedy occurred when a high tension cable fell on a football viewing centre, during an EUFA Europa League match between Manchester United and Anderlecht, killing no fewer than seven people.

Fashola said this in opening remarks at the 15th Monthly power sector operators’ meeting, held in Jo’s, Plateau State, on Monday.

While expressing his personal sympathy and that of the electricity industry to the families of the victims, the minister said it had become imperative for citizens to cooperate fully with the government in the enforcement of safety rules and regulation.

Fashola also prayed for the full recovery of the survivors, who suffered various forms of injuries, and for the peaceful repose of the souls of those that lost their lives.

The minister stated: “Whilst the accident is regrettable and the consequences very saddening, they were clearly man-made and avoidable, and if we must learn any lessons from the accident, it is to honestly and truthfully admit that it occurred as a result of non-compliance with laws and regulations. And if there is a time to learn the lesson, there can be no more auspicious moment than now.

“Yes, I know that there are difficult challenges and people are struggling to eke out a living. But every business set up in a place of danger is a threat to life, that ultimately defeats the essence of survival.

“We must admit as a people that the time to stop cutting corners and violating regulations has come upon us, and the time to change those non-compliant conduct is now, for our own long term benefit.

“This is because the situation in Calabar, where a building was located under or close to an electricity line, exists in almost all cities in Nigeria and they are all accidents waiting to happen unless we prevent them.

“The burden of preventing them, rests with all of us, both government and the governed.

“TCN, the Discos and NEMSA all have roles to play. Their success however will depend on the will, support and collaboration of state governments, who have the responsibility for granting construction permits and removing illegal structures.”

The minister also listed the existing applicable regulations for set back and approval of structures for the information of the general public and the benefit of the state planning authorities.

According him, for the 330 KV lines the set back is a total of 50 meters, that is 25 meters on both sides from the centre of the line.

For the 132 KV the set back is a total of 30 meters, that is 15 meters on both sides from the centre of the line.

For the 33 KV lines, which come close to our homes, the buildings should observe at least 3.5 meters from the closest line and for the 11 KV lines, it is at least a 3-meter set back.

For 415 volt lines it is 1.5 meters, while underground cables should be buried at least 3 meters below the ground surface.

The minister further stated: “I know that there may be a debate about whether or not it is fair to relocate those noncompliant structures. Indeed, there will be arguments about whether it was the transmission line that got there before the buildings were erected or vice versa.

“My response is that we need to keep people alive and we also need the electricity to improve our lives. Therefore logic dictates that it is those non-compliant structures that must give way to save lives and to keep electricity on.

“It is this logic that ensures there will be no repeat of the Calabar incident and that those who lost their lives would not have done so in vain.”

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