admina “Be Safe with Electricity” campaign, said the number of people killed or injured could be higher as many cases went unreported.
It said it would increase public awareness on safe use of electricity.
According to an analysis carried out early this year, at least 15 people died as a result of unsafe use of electricity or electrical appliances while the same number were killed due to electrical infrastructure collapse.
Four people died while attempting to steal or while vandalising electricity infrastructure while three died due to exposure to after getting in contact with cables at places where work was in progress.
At least one person was killed due to unsafe operations by utility staff, the analysis revealed.
“Zera noted that most of the accidents were preventable, hence the urgent need to scale up public education on safe use of electricity,” it said.
The energy regulator said collapse in electrical infrastructure mainly related to cases of wooden and concrete poles as well as cable and conductors, which would have deteriorated over the years. Members of the public were also cautioned on unsafe use of electrical gadgets as well as poorly insulating appliances and overloading a socket with too many gadgets. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter