Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt –– In line with its safety policies, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc, PHED, has carried out sensitisation of customers within its four franchise states on safe electricity practices.
The sensitisation, according to the company, became imperative to mitigate the likelihood of electrical fatalities and other associated accidents usually experienced during harmattan and yuletide season.
Speaking on a live radio programme in Port Harcourt, the Head of Safety, PHED, Mr Itoro Essienobom, enlightened customers on the importance of avoiding contact with fallen lines, electrical poles and driving on power lines.
Essienobom said the yuletide season comes with a lot of excitement that may make customers less cautious; hence, PHED renowned for promoting best practices in industry safety standards which has earned the company a position on safety compliance ranking in the electricity industry, embarked on the sensitization programme.
Other areas of the enlightenment covered on the radio programme include, power lines right of way, dangers of building, residing or transacting business under the high-tension lines, and ongoing meter upgrade under the global token identifier rollover.
“Be conscious of basic safe practices like switching off electrical appliances when not in use, avoid overloading and touching sockets with wet hands, stay away from accumulated water around electrical installations and downed wires,” he said.
Also speaking, PHED Head, Corporate Communications, Olubukola Ilevbare, revealed that the Managing Director of PHED, Dr Benson Uwheru and the entire management of the Disco hold the safety of its customers as top priority.
He said: “Under the leadership of Dr. Benson Uwheru, there has been a major leap in the Environmental, Social and Governance policy framework of the company to complement safety efforts.
“We encourage our customers to call our 24/7 Call Centre on 070022557433 to report any perceived electrical eventualities for swift response to avoid loss of lives and properties.”
