Rivers traders risk death under high-tension wires

Four years after a high-tension electric wire fell on two buses at Slaughter Bus-stop in Port Harcourt killing over 20 persons, Southern City News have observed that traders now sell their wares under the deadly wires.

The 2010 tragedy had left sad memories in the minds of Port Harcourt residents who saw the charred remains of the electrocuted victims inside two buses. It made many to keep long distance away from the wires.

But in recent times, our correspondent has seen crowds under high-tension electric wires at Rumueme selling, buying, reading and discussing newspaper headlines. There were also those selling drinks.

A newspaper vendor, who identified herself as Charity, told Southern City News that though some of the people under the wires were not aware of the danger, she claimed she was aware, but had not alternative.

She argued that the lack of space and government’s inability to provide space for them had made it difficult to avoid selling under the wires.

She noted that since no task force had been harassing them for selling under the high tension cables, it would be difficult for any of the concerned traders to quit.

“We do not have space to sell our goods and that is why we want government to provide space where we can do business without anybody harassing us.

“We are here selling, but some of us are not even aware of the risk of selling under the high-tension wire, but we have to survive through what we are doing now,” Charity added.

The situation is the same in Garrison, Mile One, and Trans-Amadi areas of Port Harcourt as traders still gather under high-tension electricity installations to sell.

Speaking on the matter, one of the prospective buyers at Rumueme, Mr. Justice Ihunda, urged the government to provide safety nets around the high-tension wires to protect the citizens.

Ihunda said Nigeria should go beyond naked wire installations, stressing that underground electricity installation should be adopted for the safety of the citizenry.

Advising Port Harcourt residents, the Head of Corporate Communications, of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, Mr. Jonah Ibomah, told Southern City News that it was necessary for residents, especially traders to avoid doing business under such dangerous facilities.

Ibomah recalled how 20 persons were killed by a high tension cable that fell on two buses, stressing that traders should stay away from PHCN installations to avoid a repeat of the ugly incident that happened in 2010 at the Slaughter Bus-stop.

“It is one of the things we have been crying about, especially this season of safety. Electricity installations remain very dangerous and people should not play around them, but stay far from them.

“You can recall that a few years back in Port Harcourt, over 20 people were killed by a single electric wire that fell.

“We want to appeal to those selling under high tension electricity installations to desist from it because it is for .