By Oke Peter
In a continued effort to ensure safety and protection of electricity infrastructure in its coverage area, Ikeja Electric Plc has cautioned commuters against reckless driving occasioning damage to its electricity assets; which consequently leads to total blackout in some communities within its network.
The Head of Quality, Health and Safety Environment, Ikeja Electric, Engr. Jamiu Badmos, made the statement as a result of the incessant collision of vehicles with electricity poles and other electrical facilities in Ikeja Electric’s network. He lamented that collusion with electricity poles and transformers by reckless commuters has become a daily incidence, stating that such commuters stand the risk of electrocution as the pole and lines can collapse on their vehicles, especially energized wires that may occasion fire outbreak and loss of life.
According to him, most accidents are due to negligence, non-concentration, drunkenness, worn-out tyres and over-speeding. When you are on low speed, the result may be minor damage on vehicle or property but damage on high speed is usually more severe.
Jamiu advised Lagosians to drive carefully to avoid unwarranted collision with electrical facilities, saying that whoever destroys any electrical asset in Ikeja Electric’s network will bear the cost of damages apart from charging the person loss of revenue for the period of outage.
Speaking further on a related matter, he stated that the management of Ikeja Electric commended the traditional rulers, various associations and security agencies for their unrelenting efforts in curbing vandalization of electrical assets in Ikeja Electric’s network.
He solicited the support of other stakeholders to join the effort in ensuring the safety of electrical facilities in their neighbouhoods to avoid plunging their communities into darkness, especially during the coming festive periods.
While assuring customers of improved services across its network, he enjoined customers to avoid any activity that can truncate the company’s efforts from achieving excellent service delivery and also appealed to its customers to report suspicious persons or activities around electrical facilities to security agents or call Ikeja Electric’s contact centre on 01-7000250, 01-2272940 or send an email to customercare@ikejaelectric.com for prompt response
“For emergency situations, customers can call any of our safety numbers +234 909 222 7799, +234 909 222 7299 and for security related issues, they can call 08180000741 (24/7)” he added.
