NERC reports 23 death of staffs in Q1 2024

Twenty-three Nigerian electricity workers died in the line of duty in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) latest report.

The report confirmed that these fatalities occurred in 55 accidents during this period. Additionally, NERC disclosed that 31 other workers sustained injuries in the recorded accidents.

“The total number of accidents in 2024/Q1 was 55 which resulted in 31 injuries and 23 fatalities,” the report revealed.

A breakdown of the major causes of casualties (deaths and injuries) recorded in Q1 2024 are wire snaps – six deaths and six injuries; illegal/unauthorized access – five deaths and two injuries; acts of vandalism – two deaths and five injuries; unsafe acts/conditions – 10 deaths and 12 injuries; falls from height – two injuries.

The report said that out of the 54 casualties reported in the quarter, the licensees with the highest number of casualties were Eko Disco(13); Benin Disco (8); Jos Disco(6); and Aba Power (6).

“Cumulatively, Discos accounted for 96.30 percent of casualties recorded in 2024/Q1 continuing a trend observed in previous quarters (98.48 percent in 2023/Q4) that the distribution segment is the biggest contributor to safety issues experienced in the NESI (Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry”, the report partly reads.

The report is indicative of a lack of safety procedures in the Nigerian Electricity supply industry.