By Dipo Olowookere
Commercial motorists in Oyo State have been advised to adhere strictly to domestic safety rules to avoid electrical hazards.
This advice was given by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in commemoration of the 2021 World Safety and Health Day.
The Chief Operating Officer of IBEDC, Mr John Ayodele, while speaking at a programme held for commercial drivers in Ibadan tagged Domestic Safety Sensitisation, stressed the need to think about safety first, make it a priority and realise that safety is very important in all the franchise areas of IBEDC.
Mr Ayodele, who was represented at the event held at Egbeda Interstates Motor Park on Wednesday by Mr Victor Ojelabi, stated that, “We are not only just distributing power, we also think of the safety of our customers, we want everyone to handle electricity with safety in mind.”
“IBEDC will roll out more programmes in all its franchise areas to ensure that people adhere to safety regulations,” he added.
The energy expert commended the motorists, stating that “the park management system in Oyo State has been a good collaborator and partner with us in ensuring the message of safety.”
“We partner with them so that they don’t park their vehicles under high tension wires and also ensure that they educate their members, and they have been doing a good job on that.
“The chairman had been very helpful and cooperative hence the need to reiterate the messages as we commemorate 2021 World Safety and Health Day,” he also said.
In his lecture, the Head of Safety Unit at IBEDC, Mr Biodun Dirisu, charged participants on ensuring that they engaged competent and licensed electrical contractors for building wiring and installations and also used quality materials.
He urged commercial motorists to ensure they obey traffic rules and not over speed to avoid hitting electricity poles and other infrastructure while driving.
In his remarks, the Deputy Branch Chairman, Egbeda Interstates Unit, Pastor Timothy Alhazan, appreciated the efforts of IBEDC at sensitizing motorists on safety.
“Safety starts from us. We appreciate the fact that the awareness was brought to us as it is not many people that will know about safety tips on radio or television.
“We will take the message home and we will ensure we put safety tips into use as we go about our daily routine,” Mr Alhazan said.
Also, a youth leader in Egbeda, Deacon Omoniyi Adegbite, commended the state government for providing platforms for collaboration from both the public and private sectors.
The event featured awareness creation on safety issues to commuters, motorists and traders in Egbeda Interstates park and an award presentation to Chairman Park Management System in Oyo State.
Earlier, IBEDC, during a courtesy visit to Oyo State Advertising Agency, had urged the body to ensure compliance with safety standards from advertisers who register with the state.
