PUNCH
A Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company employee, Abbey Robert, tells ABDULLATEEF FOWEWE how he was killed while on duty.
Can you recall the incident that has changed your life?
I’m Abbey Robert, a high-tension and maintenance worker with Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company in Port Harcourt- Gamma 2 Region, River State.
On October 25, 2023, my team assigned to perform maintenance work on the Greater Port Harcourt 33kV lines, specifically the section that supplies power to the Port Harcourt International Airport. Our task for the night was to ensure that the airport had continuous power supply. After receiving proper approval and information, we proceeded to drive along the line. However, we encountered a point that had already been opened by the daylight team led by Iyoyo Tamuno-Opubo. We confirmed that the lines were indeed open before moving on to Salvation Tee-off for isolation.
Once we reached the Salvation Tee-off, my team leader, Jerry Onyejekwe, instructed me to proceed with the isolation. Following all safety protocols and equipping myself with our discharge, I proceeded to carry out the task as previously mentioned; the line was a DD dead line, which was confirmed. However, I had already isolated the red and yellow phases of this line, I had to release the seatbelt and readjust myself in order to continue with the remaining blue phase. As I descended about 25 feet above the ground, I saw lines of fire coming towards me. The next thing I know was that I woke up at the Burns and Plastics Unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, experiencing immense pain and covered in bandages from my head to waist. The experience was so horrific.
Which steps did you take you when woke up?
I was unconscious, but when I eventually regained consciousness a few days later, I contacted my team leader, Onyejekwe, through voice calls to inquire about what had happened that night. To this day, he has not provided any information. However, my father, who is a retired civil servant, was informed and he came to the hospital. It was my father who paid for the medications, injections, tests, caregiver allowance, and specialised meals by borrowing money. The PHED never contributed a single penny, claiming that their Health Maintenance Organisation took care of my expenses, which is a lie and I urged an investigation into the matter at the hospital by the company’s management.
What was the immediate reaction of the company following the incident of electrocution?
The company showed total negligence and abandonment. In fact, some individuals tried to hide their actions by sending me a notice of query.
How did you react to the query?
It added to my pain because the query came when I was suffering from intense pain, and I noticed that it was sent to me by the Human Capital Management. I forwarded it to my father, who became upset and sent it to his lawyer. The lawyer responded appropriately, resulting in the withdrawal of the query with an apology.
