The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has commenced massive disconnection of all properties erected in violation of power line Right of Way (ROW) in the entire South-East.
EEDC’s Head of Communications, Mr Emeka Ezeh, made this known in a statement issued in Enugu on Wednesday.
NAN reports that the power line Right-of-Way or ROW is the mapped out corridor for distribution and transmission power lines, which is usually meant for electricity high voltage line movement or passage.
It is a precautionary safety measure accompanied by mandatory clearance levels, to be observed and adhered to by members of the public, for the safety of all.
Ezeh said the move was in compliance with the directive issued by Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, to distribution companies.
He said the agency had instructed DISCOs to disconnect power supply to all structures, buildings and premises that were in violation of the Power-line ROW.
He said that EEDC was in full liaison with relevant government agencies to ensure this directive was carried out effectively.
“We have been disconnecting all property identified within our network to be in violation, and working closely with relevant government agencies, some of these structures have been demolished as well,’’ he said.
Ezeh said that the EEDC, in 2018 issued a release advising its customers and the general public against putting up structures and carrying out business activities within power line ROW.
The EEDC spokesman said that the distribution company equally enumerated the various power lines and their respective clearance levels.
“For instance, 11 meters is to be observed on 11KV and 33KV lines (that is 5.5 meters on both sides).
Also, 30 meters is observed on 132 KV line (that is 15 meters on both sides) and 50 meters observed on 330KV line (that is 25 meters on both sides),’’ he said.
Ezeh also said that EEDC had applied various communication channels in sensitising residents on the need to be safety conscious by observing these clearance levels.
He said: “We frown at the indiscriminate manner structures are erected within electricity power line ROW and warn our customers to desist from this hazardous behavior.
“Also, we have situations where ornamental and economic trees are planted under or very close to our high and low tension lines, thereby interfering with the electricity network and causing intermittent tripping. These trees pose high risk of electrocution’’.
Ezeh noted that there were situations where electricity lines sag or snap, and if the specified clearance level was not observed, lives of people living within the area would be exposed to possible electrocution.
According to him, adherence to power line ROW as well as these clearance levels will go a long way in saving not only lives of the citizens, but also their properties (NAN)