The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reported that 59 electricity workers died in work-related accidents between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. The NERC’s recent report highlighted the hazardous conditions faced by workers in the Nigerian electricity supply industry.
In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 23 workers lost their lives in 55 separate accidents, while 31 others sustained injuries.
“The total number of accidents in 2024/Q1 was 55, which resulted in 31 injuries and 23 fatalities,” the report stated.
The fourth quarter of 2023 saw even higher fatalities, with 36 deaths from 54 accidents, marking an increase of 13 deaths compared to the previous quarter. Thirty workers were also injured during this period.
NERC has launched investigations into all reported accidents and pledged to work with industry stakeholders to enhance safety measures. The report detailed the main causes of injuries and deaths in the first quarter of 2024, which included wire snaps (six deaths, six injuries), illegal access (five deaths, two injuries), vandalism (two deaths, five injuries), unsafe acts or conditions (10 deaths, 12 injuries), and falls from heights (two injuries).
Eko Disco recorded the highest number of casualties with 13, followed by Benin Disco with eight, Jos Disco with six, and Aba Power with six.
“Cumulatively, Discos accounted for 96.30 percent of casualties recorded in 2024/Q1, continuing a trend observed in previous quarters,” the report noted.
NERC has vowed to enforce appropriate actions against licensees where necessary.
“The commission continues to closely monitor the implementation of licensees’ accident reduction strategy for the NESI while the sector’s health and safety code is undergoing a review process,” the report added.
Related Stories
- Man Who Climbed Electric Pole to Protest Tinubu’s Presidency Admitted to Psychiatric Hospital
- Power Outage Deepens Hardship Across Northern Nigeria, Residents and Businesses Struggle
NERC also oversees settlement processes between licensees and families of accident victims to ensure transparency and fair compensation.
Adetayo Adegbemle, Convener and Executive Director of PowerUp Nigeria, expressed concern over the high number of fatalities.
“Many Discos’ staff across the country lack basic Personal Protective Equipment. I have personally taken this up with many of the Discos. Our regulators need to intervene in this,” he said.
Adegbemle called for more safety campaigns and stronger regulatory measures to address the issue.
“If the Discos are sanctioned effectively, there should be a turnaround. If a Disco catches their technical staff without PPEs and they are sanctioned, there will be some sanity,” he emphasized.