Port Harcourt witnessed another electrical accident on Friday afternoon when about 32 electric poles collapsed along Oginigba – Azuabie Road, Trans-Amadi, during a rainstorm.
No casualty was reported in the incident, which happened 35 days after a similar occurrence which claimed 25 lives in the same neighbourhood of Port Harcourt.
The spokesman of the Power Holding Company (PHCN), John Onyi told journalists yesterday that the poles fell as a result of sand excavation along the route by a company laying underground communication cables.
According to him, the excavation weakened the bases of some of the poles, such that the poles could not withstand the rainstorm.
“As at the time of the incident, some of the trenches dug by the communication company were yet to be covered.
“The incident has affected power supply to Glass Factory Feeder, parts of Trans-Amadi Industrial Estate, Oginigba, Azuabie, Abuloma and parts of Woji
“This indiscriminate excavation also led to the puncturing of our underground cable by Amadi Flats Junction last week, which resulted in blackout for a few days that affected Government Grafts Centre, Aba Road, Kaduna Street, Warri Street, Afam Street, Emekuku Street and Secretariat Fedeer. That particular problem was solved two days ago.
“PHCN wishes to use this opportunity to warn all the Companies excavating and laying cables, including road construction companies, to stay away from our network or come for adequate technical guidance before embarking on such jobs.
“We sincerely apologise to all affected customers for the inconvenience and assure them that efforts are already in place to replace the damaged poles and restore supply to them,”Onyi said.