BEDC transformer fire kills one, burns 10 houses in Delta

A  Middle aged man has been electrocuted to death, while ten residential buildings, accommodating shops with properties worth millions of naira were razed down following the malfunctioning of a Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC transformer located at Atamakolomi area of Enerhen community, near Warri in Delta State.

Our Correspondent reports that the man who was identified as Mr. Joseph Iloloje until his death was a security man working for the General Overseer of a Pentecostal Church at Ugboroke area of Effurun in Uwvie Local Government Area of the State.

Chairman of Atamakolomi Community, Mr. David Oghounu, explained, “prior reports and complaints to BEDC officials of constant erratic fluctuation of power voltage were ignored”, adding that the September 26 incident which occurred at about 4:00am saw the 33 KVA transmission cable burning, disconnected with loud sparks, vibrations and fire that resulted in massive damage to properties and loss of life.

In a petition dated September 28 and addressed to the Managing Director of BEDC through its Business Manager in Warri, Counsel to the victims, Akpovi and Co avowed that the havoc was caused by the negligence of BEDC and therefore demanded full and immediate reparation as well as restoration of losses suffered, insisting that adequate compensation be paid to the family of the bereaved.

Fresh Angle International can report that though BEDC have paid initial visit to the affected area, the petitioners called for an urgent and second visitation to conduct a proper assessment and enumeration of the losses, noting that what has so far been estimated were mere interim assessment.

Meanwhile, the remains of late Mr. Iloloje who hails from Otor-Owhe in Isoko has been deposited in a morgue at Ughelli.

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