A
grief-stricken father of a boy who was electrocuted as a result of
negligence by live electricity cable belonging to the Abuja Electricity
Distribution Company (AEDC has threatened litigation after being
rebuffed by the firm.
the deceased boy, Samuel Ayodele
Mr. Tade Ayodele, father of Samuel Ayodele, 7, who was electrocuted
by live electricity cable belonging to the Abuja Electricity
Distribution Company (AEDC) in Kabusa area of the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT) has appealed to the power firm, Nigeria Electricity
Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC)
for urgent compensation to avoid litigation.
The electrocution which was a case of sheer negligence by the
electricity distribution company has generated controversy as non of the
regulatory agencies want to act after the fateful incident happened on
November 9, 2015. The grief stricken man has written a petition
demanding for immediate compensation for his loss. But nothing has been
done by the agencies involved.
According to TheNation, the father of the deceased
complained that after petitioning NERC and CPC, neither of the
organisations had addressed the situation with necessary compensation.
Ayodele might be forced to sue the power company, CPC and NERC to court
should they refuse to act appropriately and in record time.
He said: “It is clear that there is nothing one can do to
revive Samuel. But the company and all the government agencies I wrote
the petition to have refused to act. They should do the right thing by
paying compensation, but if they refuse to do that nothing will stop me
from going to court.”
According to copies of the petition which the trio of NERC, CPC and
AEDC received on November 12, the power firm appeared reluctant to act
when the community informed it of the looming danger of the fallen and
exposed cable.
The petition with the heading “Electrocution and Death of My 7 Year Old Son By AEDC Cable at Kabusa, Abuja,” reads in part: “On
Monday, November 9, 2015, around 6:00 a.m, an electric cable belonging
to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) fell down from the
pole at the Old Pantaker Area of Kabusa, Abuja.
“Electricity supply was on when this cable fell down, and
seeing the danger to lives of the people living in the area, the AEDC
was called on phone and the fallen cable reported to them. They were
begged to take action by cutting off power supply to the area and coming
to remove the fallen cable. They promised they would come but almost
throughout the day, from that 6:00 a.m. till late afternoon, they did
not come.
“Around 2.30 p.m. while I was at my place of work at Gudu
District, my 7 year-old son, Samuel Ayodele was going to throw refuse
away. As he tried to cross a gutter, his foot slipped and he fell down
on the electric cable and was electrocuted. Some neighbours used a dry
plank to remove the cable from him and he was rushed to the Shadalafiya
Primary Health Centre, Sherreti Road, Kabusa.
“He was received at the health centre by Dr H. Dabagal and Dr
Andrew Bayero who battled unsuccessfully to save his life. My son died
around 6:30 p.m. that same day. Please find attached the Medical Report
and Death Certificate of my late son as issued by Dr. Dabagal and Dr,
Bayero. Sir, you can imagine how I feel as a father.
“The death of my son is an irreparable and irreplaceable loss,
and I am begging you in the name of God Almighty to seek redress for me
and sanction the AEDC accordingly to prevent further negligence and
nonchalant approach to duty for which the AEDC has become well-known.
“Sir, please I cry for justice and appeal to you to use your
good office to ensure I get redress for this unbearable loss. I look
forward to your usual prompt response, Sir.”
Asked to respond to the allegation on the telephone, the AEDC Head
of Corporate Communications and Community Relations, Mr. Oyebode Fadipe,
noted that on receiving the petition, the company mobilised its team to
investigate the matter.
“We are also aware that the father has written to NERC. And you
know NERC is the regulatory agency in this sector, and even we on our
own have informed NERC on what has happened as it is expected of us. And
that is exactly what we have done. We are expected to bring it to the
attention of the regulatory agency and we have done exactly that. The
father of the diseased has also done that. It means that we have
submitted to the authority of the regulatory agency. Even we have, on
our part, conducted investigation to see the circumstances surrounding
that.
“But you know we cannot be a judge in our own case. And for our
own purpose too we need the investigation so that we can prevent such
occurrences in future and make sure that our customers are safe. It is
NERC that is handling the situation as it is now. Both parties have
submitted to NERC. It is NERC that has the prerogative to take the
matter beyond where we have taken it to.”
What will come out of this is left to be desired as the family of
the deceased continue to suffer deep pains for a loss that could have
been avoided if companies live up to the expectations of the people.
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