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By Sunny A. David, Awka
A three-year-old girl, Faiza Mohammed, died after being electrocuted by a fallen high-tension wire belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in Awka, Anambra State.
The wire fell the previous day on Isaiah Morah Close and residents reported the downed wire to EEDC officials, who allegedly demanded a ₦30,000 payment for repairs before attending to the issue.
Despite receiving the payment, the EEDC failed to address the hazard until after the tragic incident.
Conflicting accounts emerged from EEDC officials following the electrocution. One official claimed a response team was dispatched but couldn’t locate the site, while another attributed the delay to the Imo Awka masquerade festival.
However, residents refuted these claims, asserting the location was easily accessible and that the festival did not impede access.
One resident, Mrs. Christiana, emphasized the area’s clear location and the presence of prepaid meters, making the EEDC’s explanation untenable.
She directly accused the company of negligence, stating, “They’re lying because they murdered this girl with their negligence.”
This incident highlights a broader issue of alleged corruption and dereliction of duty within public services.
The demand for payment before repairs, even if against regulations, underscores a systemic problem where essential services are often contingent on bribes.
Such practices extend beyond the EEDC, affecting various sectors, from civil service to healthcare.
Faiza, who lived with her mother in a partly abandoned house under construction, was fetching water when she encountered the live wire.
Attempts to reach EEDC for comment have been unsuccessful. This tragedy prompts calls for the prosecution of the EEDC for negligence and a demand for accountability to prevent future occurrences.
The company’s failure to act swiftly and decisively resulted in the preventable death of a young child.
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