Ikeja Electric launches network monitoring to enhance safety

To further strengthen its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and properties, Ikeja Electric, Nigeria’s biggest electricity distribution company, has launched its novel Network Safety Monitoring initiative.

This initiative allows for round-the-clock electrical asset surveillance across its network by special teams, specifically set up for this purpose. The teams, made up of Safety Specialists and Technicians, divided into monitoring units, patrol the entire network armed with multimedia gadgets which allow them to capture damaged assets and imminently dangerous connections in real time.

The data captured is then relayed to a central Control Center from where it is passed on to the nearest Undertaking at which point the Network Operations logs the information and ensures resolution within the shortest possible time

Speaking on the initiative, the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, explained that safety in a high risk sector such as the electricity industry cannot be over-emphasized because if the safety standards are compromised, the resultant effect could be disastrous leading to damage to property and even loss of human lives.

In his words, “Ikeja Electric will not compromise on safety. It is a high risk environment and coupled with the rains and high winds of this season, we have to continue the campaign of safety across our network. We are also aware that by putting forward these initiatives we are raising the bar of safety across the entire company with other industry players also raising their own standards of safety. In the end if we are able to keep people safe, we will be justified.”

He noted that in consonance with the company’s Health and Safety mandate, it has issued series of weather alerts, calling public attention to common dangers associated with the inclement weather and these public alerts are put out in order that consumers may be more aware of their surroundings and adopt better and higher safety precautions in order to remain safe.

“The monitoring team is a roving one, constantly on the move, scouting for unsafe and damaged assets: he said, while pointing out that managing the assets of the company was integral to the company’s ability to deliver safe supply of energy to homes and businesses.

He also solicited the support of the public in ensuring that the initiative is a success by urging residents who notice any dangerous asset, such as leaning poles, snapped or low hanging cables to take pictures and send to HSE@ikejaelectric.com, carefully noting the location of the asset with possible landmarks if necessary. Others can simply call our customer care lines, 01-448-3900, 0700-022-5543, 01-7000-250”.

Ofulue, seized the opportunity to caution against conducting commercial activities under power lines, warning of the imminent danger associated with sustained activities underneath cables that may be under stress from strong winds and rains.

Ikeja Electric was awarded the prize for Company with the Best Health and Safety Initiatives, 2015/16 at the Nigerian Risk Award -Economic and Social Risk Summit. This award follows an earlier recognition at the 2015 Nigeria Safety Award for Excellence, Hall of Fame (9jaSAFE AWARDS), where the company also bagged the Award for Company with the best HSE Practices in the Power sector.