Electrocution: Gov orders demolition of structures

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has ordered the immediate demolition of all the structures under the high tension cable on the Apata-Bembow Road in Ibadan where seven people were electrocuted on Monday.

The governor said trading under high tension cable constituted great danger to the lives of both traders and buyers.

The governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, urged the traders to cooperate with government by vacating the area to avoid a recurrence.

He directed the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, Mr. Taoheed Adeleke, to relocate the market.

The governor also ordered the council to replace all the cables connecting the area to the main PHCN poles and ensure that electricity was restored.

He commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives and prayed for the repose of their souls.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the local government has said the council would pay the medical bill of the survivors.

Also, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, has described the incident as unfortunate.

The Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Olawale Sadare, said the deaths were unfortunate and disheartening.

The statement reads, “It is unfortunate and disheartening to hear that some market women had to die in such circumstance. Nigeria has been faced with incessant but avoidable deaths of her citizens in recent times.

“The electrocution of some innocent citizens, including a pregnant woman, marked yet another disaster which obviously left the rest of the citizenry sad and disturbed.”

One of the residents of the area, Mr. Mustapha Muritala, who said he survived a similar incident about two years ago, blamed the PHCN for not responding to past complaints on the cable.

via Punch