Eko DisCo to Deceased Family: We did not abandon Balogun in his trying moment

By Akinola Ajibade

Eko Electricity Distribution Company has absolved itself from the death of one of its contract staffs,  Yusuf Balogun.

The utility company, in a statement, said that it never abandoned Balogun, who died at a Lagos based medical center, following an accident which occurred in one of its installations. 

The deceased, the firm said, was a member of the field team engaged under a contract for services with a third-party human resource service provider – Alexandra Marius.

According to Eko Electricity Distribution Company, while denying the allegation levied against it that it abandoned the deceased by an online publication in its most trying time, it stated that as a responsible organization, its priority has always been to optimally protect all members of our field team, consistent with applicable health and safety standards.

It also said the incident occured while the deceased was working on it BAGCO 11kV feeder, not at the home of Babatunde Fashola, a former governor in Lagos state.

Also, Eko Disco' s General Manager in Charge of  Corporate Communications,  Babatunde Lasaki said: 

 “The publication, which accused the management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company of abandoning the deceased in its critical moment, is not saying the truth. The report, which came to our attention after its was published is false and misleading.

The reporters of the media house did not reach out to Eko DisCo to provide comments before the publication was put out. However, with the publication in circulation, there is the compelling need to clarify the untrue insinuations that have been made.” 

“To put the facts in perspective, the deceased was a member of the field team engaged under a contract for services with a third-party human resource service provider – Alexandra Marius, the deceased employer

 As part of Eko Disco’s process, the events that led to the incident were extensively investigated and the following was established:

The incident occurred while the deceased was working on replacing a damaged Cross Arm on BAGCO 11kV feeder, which tripped in the early hours of Monday, March 17, 2023.”

 It stated that contrary to the deceased employer’s and Eko Disco`s safety standards, he and his team at Ijora District embarked on clearing the fault without obtaining permit to work (PTW), Station and Guarantee both of which represent official approval for fault clearing.

 “Also contrary to the laid down safety standards by both the deceased employer and Eko DisCo, the deceased did not utilize voltage detector nor tease/ground the electric lines to ensure that the lines were out of supply before commencing fault clearing. The deceased was also not putting on any safety wears such as hard hat, hand gloves, safety belt, and coverall that were adequately made available by Eko Disco.

 Unfortunately, while fixing the fault without complying with above-established safety standards, the deceased had contact with an energized line and received a severe electric shock.

The deceased was quickly assisted by his colleagues to disengage from the energized lines.”

  He became unconscious and was immediately rushed to Avon Medical Centre, Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos for medical attention. Thereafter he was referred to Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta, Yaba, Lagos for further medical attention but was confirmed dead a few minutes to his arrival at the hospital on Monday, March 27, 2023.

 “The necessary legal and disciplinary processes have been set in motion against the distribution team involved in carrying out the unapproved task with the Deceased without complying with safety standards laid down by both Eko Disco and Alexandra Marius, the deceased employer.”