NERC Fines Abuja Power Firm N18m Over Kid’s Electrocution

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has imposed a fine of N18million on Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) over the electrocution of eight-year old Faith Yakubu at Anguwan Dodo, Gwagwalada, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which is within the firm’s distribution franchise area.
In a resolution, NERC uphold the recommendations of its Panel Report of Accident Investigation which found the distribution company (DISCo) liable of negligence. The resolution of the Commission on the accident read: “AEDC shall pay N18, 000,000. 00 as compensation to the family of Faith Yakubu and communicate same to the Commission accordingly.
“AEDC should ensure that the surviving four month old child undergoes medical check up in a recognised hospital and evidence presented to the Commission for further directives.”
The DISCo was directed to carry out regular safety enlightenment campaign in accordance with the Nigeria Electricity Safety Manual and Nigeria Electricity Safety Code. AEDC was also directed to adequately train its workers on market regulations as well as ensure that its Marketing Units are provided with competent technical staff with the sole responsibility of carrying out the function of connection and disconnection of customers when all conditions for disconnections in line with NERC’s regulations have been met.
The accident occurred when a worker of AEDC disconnected the wire feeding the Yakubus’ residence over allegation of accumulated bills and left the wire lying on the ground even as he failed to disconnect supply from the transformer.
The deceased, in her innocence, was running an errand with the surviving four month old baby boy strapped on her back, grabbed the wire in an attempt to cross over the naked wire when she got electrocuted. The baby on her back survived the accident.