In a heartbreaking incident in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, a father of two, identified simply as Amas, was electrocuted on a high-tension pole. This tragedy occurred near the Ekeki Police Station on Azikoro Road. Amas, who was not an employee of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), lost his life while trying to connect some clients to the federal power line.
Amas lived in the neighborhood and often performed electrical connection work for
residents, despite not being a professional electrician. On the day of the incident, he climbed the high-tension pole after a rainstorm to connect a stable power line known as the federal line. This line is preferred by many due to its more reliable supply of 12-13 hours of electricity daily, which is a stark contrast to the generally poor power supply in the state.
Several eyewitnesses provided details of the tragic event. Michael Orubo, who lives on the same street as Amas, shared his shock and sadness. "Amas lives on our street, and he usually does the connection work around here. We were playing chess together when he said he was stepping out and would be back soon. He never returned," Michael said, his voice filled with sorrow. "He was a very easygoing person, and now his two children have lost their father. The money he earned from doing these electrical connections was how he supported his family. What a terrible way to die."
Another witness, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted the moments leading up to the tragedy. "He just passed by me not more than five minutes after the rain stopped. The next thing I heard were screams. We rushed to the scene, but there was nothing we could do. He was stuck to the pole by his belt, and we were all too scared to help because it was still raining," the witness explained.
It took hours for the PHCN officials to arrive and retrieve Amas's lifeless body from the pole. During this time, the community was in a state of panic and grief. Amas's mother, who has a shop close to where the incident occurred, was devastated upon hearing the news. According to locals, she has been inconsolable since the tragedy. She couldn't even bring herself to come out and see her son's body. Neighbors and friends have been trying to comfort her during this difficult time.
The death of Amas has sent shockwaves through the community. Many residents knew him personally and relied on his services for their electrical needs. His sudden death has left a void in the neighborhood. "He was always there to help us with our electricity issues. Now, who will take care of his children? It's just so sad," one resident lamented.
People gathered around the scene of the accident, sharing their grief and disbelief. Many expressed their anger and frustration at the lack of reliable power supply in the state, which they believe forced Amas to risk his life. "If the power supply was stable, he wouldn't have had to climb that pole. This is a failure of the system," another resident remarked.
This tragic incident highlights several critical issues facing communities in Bayelsa and other parts of Nigeria. The most glaring problem is the unreliable power supply that plagues many regions. The federal line, which Amas was trying to connect, is favored because it offers a more consistent supply of electricity. However, not everyone has access to it, leading to situations where untrained individuals take dangerous risks to secure power for their homes and businesses.
Amas's death also underscores the lack of proper training and safety protocols for those who perform electrical work. Many people, out of necessity, resort to informal means to address their electrical needs, often without understanding the dangers involved. This incident is a grim reminder of the importance of professional training and adherence to safety standards.
In the wake of Amas's death, there are calls for significant changes to prevent such tragedies in the future. First and foremost, there is a pressing need to improve the power infrastructure in Bayelsa and other affected areas. Ensuring a reliable and consistent power supply would reduce the need for dangerous, informal electrical work.
Additionally, there should be increased efforts to educate the public about the dangers of working with electricity without proper training. Community awareness programs and stricter regulations on who can perform electrical work could help mitigate the risks.
Support systems for families affected by such tragedies are also crucial. Amas's children have lost their father and primary provider, highlighting the need for social safety nets to support families in times of crisis. Local authorities and community leaders should work together to provide assistance to Amas's family and others in similar situations.
The tragic death of Amas is a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by unreliable power supply and untrained electrical work. As the community mourns his loss, there is a collective call for improvements in power infrastructure, better training, and safety measures for those who work with electricity. Only through these changes can such preventable tragedies be avoided in the future. Amas's story is a poignant example of the human cost of systemic failures, and it serves as a rallying cry for action and reform.
#SafetyFirst #PowerCrisis #BayelsaTragedy #ElectricalSafety
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