By Ado Oyeyemi
Three men have died after an iron pole they were erecting for a water tank came into contact with a high-voltage electricity line in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The victims, identified as Chukwudi Ukwa, Frank Okafor and Somadina Nwabuike, were reportedly electrocuted on Monday at No. 123, Old Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, while working at a two-storey building where a borehole was being drilled.
The incident occurred when the men, who accompanied a contractor to the premises, attempted to erect the pole, which reportedly fell onto an 11-kilovolt overhead electricity line, resulting in their deaths.
Police officers attached to the Fegge Division subsequently evacuated the bodies to the General Hospital, Onitsha.
Police sources confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Tuesday, saying the owner of the building, identified simply as Steven, was assisting investigators in their efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Reacting to the incident, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited warned property owners, contractors and artisans against carrying out construction and installation work close to overhead power lines without observing the required safety precautions.
In a statement signed by its Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor, on Tuesday, the company described the deaths as a reminder of the dangers associated with handling metal objects near live electricity infrastructure.
The company explained that metal poles and other conductive materials could transmit electricity when they come into contact with energised power lines, potentially causing fatal injuries even when workers do not deliberately touch the wires.
It said activities such as borehole drilling, water tank installation, roofing and building construction required careful assessment of nearby electricity infrastructure to prevent avoidable accidents.
According to the company, property owners and contractors must ensure that workers, equipment and construction materials are kept at the prescribed safe distances from overhead electricity lines.
Okafor said the company had continued to conduct electricity safety awareness campaigns in markets, motor parks, schools, streets and communities across Anambra State.
He added that the campaigns were designed to discourage activities within electricity line rights-of-way without the required clearance.
The company also warned against erecting water tanks, scaffolding, canopies and trading stalls close to electricity infrastructure, noting that such activities could expose workers, passers-by and residents to serious danger.
It urged property owners to consider the location of overhead power lines before engaging contractors for borehole drilling, building projects, roofing or water tank installation.
Contractors and artisans were also advised to assess their work environments before commencing operations and seek professional guidance whenever their activities could pose a risk around electricity installations.
The company further cautioned members of the public against touching fallen electricity cables or attempting to remove objects in contact with power lines.
Residents were urged to keep away from affected areas and promptly report electrical hazards to the appropriate authorities.
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Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Anambra State Police Command spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his telephone line were unanswered as of Tuesday.
