Tragedy struck at Oferekpe Inyimagu community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as a casual staff member of Enugu Electricity Distribution company got electrocuted while fixing a fault.
The young man, identified as Romanus Onweshe lost his life three days to Christmas, precisely on December 22, 2023 in the process of trying to repair a fault and reconnect light to the community.
An indigene of the community, Emmanuel Ezeh, disclosed that the deceased was trying to salvage the situation in the community as they had been in darkness for days.
Sadly, while Onweshe was on the electric pole, EEDC restored light that triggered his electrocution.
“The piece of information available to me now shows that he was on duty as EEDC casual staff,” Ezeh said.
Another resident who did not want his name mentioned said the deceased did not consider his safety while on duty.
He said the worker was not properly kitted before climbing the pole, adding that, “It is terrible that safety was neglected. People are dying for a cause that could be prevented.
“How can someone climb electricity pole without safety kit, no hand gloves, no helmet, no boot? I think he was actually on a suicide mission. He is from Offerekpe Inyimagu but came to connect light in my village, Offerekpe Agbaja and was electrocuted.”