A Joint Task Force has been inaugurated by the Yola Electricity Distribution Company, YEDC, to have structures removed from under electricity distribution lines.
The inauguration, performed in Yola, was described as a move to ensure public safety and prevent electrical accidents.
Members of the task force were drawn from the YEDC; the Adamawa State Ministry of Environment, Urban and Regional Planning; and the National Orientation Agency, NOA.
The task force would by its function be protecting right of way of distribution lines, and it is viewed as a part of safety initiatives of the YEDC to raise awareness about hazards posed by illegal structures and commercial activities beneath high-tension lines.
The Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) officer of YEDC, Mr Julius Idowu who said violations of right-of-way occur when structures are built under high-tension lines or when commercial and business activities are carried out beneath electrical structures, said such instances endanger lives and compromise reliability of electricity supply.
A representative from the Ministry of Environment, Albert Lungu highlighted the long-term health hazards associated with electromagnetic radiation emitted from high tension lines, explaining, “The radiation causes heart failure, cancer, and other serious health issues. The effects are not immediate but a gradual process.”
Lungu said awareness is crucial in preventing the hazards.
Chairman of Yola North Local Government, Jibrin Ibrahim, said he would support the safety initiative by mobilizing community leaders, faith-based organizations, and traders to participate in the awareness campaigns.
The Joint Task Force’s advocacy efforts led by the YEDC plans to continue through electronic media campaigns, physical outreach programs across the state, and community engagement and sensitization
The YEDC, an electricity distribution firm covering the states of Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe and Borno, said the safety campaign underscores its commitment to providing electricity in a safe and reliable manner.
The company urged members of the public to report any right of way violations or safety concerns whenever they are noticed.