As the harmattan season sets in, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has warned South-East residents against indiscriminate bush burning.
The Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, who gave the warning on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Enugu, said fire outbreaks have been identified as one of the common risks facing EEDC, especially during harmattan season.
He recounted the losses the company had borne in the past years as a result of uncontrolled/indiscriminate burning of bushes and refuse dumps.
“We pray that such an experience never repeats this season.
“Our network spans through, bushes, forests, neighbourhoods, farmlands and any form of burning if uncontrolled could lead to a fire outbreak which may damage transformers, feeder pillar units, and the lines with their associated accessories, in addition to loss of lives, loss of electricity supply and other properties.
“Over the years, it has become traditional that bushes are burnt during the harmattan season for various reasons.
“Whatever may be the reason behind bush burning, it is advised that such fires are controlled so they do not escalate to unintended locations/areas.
“For those who burn domestic waste dumps within the neighbourhoods, caution must also be applied equally so that it does not lead to unprecedented consequences,” he said.
Ezeh also called on neighbourhoods that dump refuse/waste under the electricity network or near distribution substations (transformers) to desist from such practice.”
