BEDC worker electrocuted in Ondo

Easter celebration turned tragic in Ondo State as a worker of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mr. Shama Adenodi, was at the weekend electrocuted in the course of duty.

The incident occurred at Tewogboye Street, New Town area of Ondo city, where family members and sympathizers cried foul over the deceased’s sudden demise.Adenodi, a middle-aged father of three, was a BEDC official of the Ondo Business District, working as the Assistant Engineer II at Okegbala Business District.

According to sources, the deceased was said to be on an official duty in the company of another worker to connect a life wire that fell on the ground from an electric pole.The Guardian learnt that the late BEDC official had contacted the power station of the company located at Awoyaya area of the town, urging them to switch off the light before climbing the pole.

But shortly after climbing the pole, he was electrocuted and fell from the pole to the ground. Sympathisers rushed him to a private hospital few metres away from the scene, only to be confirmed dead by the doctors.

Among the sympathizers were members of the Electrical Contractor Association of Nigeria (ECAN) Ondo town branch, students of Adeyemi College of Education (ACE) Ondo, as well as families of the deceased who were spotted mourning.

Other residents of the area, who spoke with our correspondent but pleaded anonymity, lamented the incident, recounting that Adenodi was the engineer attending to the needs of the people in the area, especially those whose light were disconnected.

The BEDC Business Manager of Ondo Business District, Engr. Chris Enuamaka, when contacted, was not available for comment, as he was said to have travelled out of the town.

Meanwhile, a senior staff of the firm, who did not also want his name to be mentioned, confirmed the report of the incident and described the death of the deceased as unfortunate.

Though he noted that he was not authorized to speak for BEDC, he explained that the deceased was in the area for an official assignment before the unfortunate incident. He added that the company would soon issue an official statement on the death of the victim.

While confirming the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Enuowa Police Station, Mr. Isikaye Ayodele, said about five officials of BEDC had been invited for interrogation over the matter.Isikaye, who assured that the police would get to the root of the matter, added that they would be transferred to appropriate section at the Ondo State police command as soon as investigation was completed on the matter.