The Federal Government has received the report of an electricity surge that occurred in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital on Saturday, March 2, 2024, leaving some individuals injured.
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu who confirmed the receipt of the report, vowed to ensure that such an avoidable incident does not reoccur again.
The report was submitted by the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Engr. Tukur Tahir who visited the scene of the incident in Calabar South Local Government, Cross River State.
When the incident happened, Adelabu expressed sympathy with the injured victims and directed an immediate investigation to unravel the cause of the incident. The investigating team was led by Tahir and top officials of NEMSA.
It will be recalled that video of the electrical surge began circulating on social media on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
The video 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 individuals 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 after the incident occurred, he 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 investigations 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.
