KERC fines KEDL ₦20m

Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited (KEDL) has been hit with a regulatory sanction totaling N20 million by the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) for gross safety and operational violations that led to the death of its own lineman-Mr. Dirisu Yusuf.

The sanction is contained in a Regulatory Orders No: KERC/ORDER/2026/09/ 05 signed by the Chairman/CEO of KERC, Engr. Ibrahim S. Abdwaaris and Commissioner for Legal, Licensing & Compliance, Prof. Ibrahim Abdulkarim.

The sanction against KEDL followed the fatal occupational accident involving its lineman, the late Mr. Dirisu Yusuf, on the 33kV Feeder 2 network at Zango, Lokoja.

KERC found that KEDL deployed a reused and relocated concrete pole that had previously suffered mechanical shock during conductor vandalism and Hiab transportation, and certified it fit for climbing based only on visual inspection.

The Commission dismissed KEDL's defence, ruling that micro-fractures and fatigue in concrete are invisible to the naked eye and that reliance on visual check for a recycled 33kV asset was "a total breakdown of technical asset-integrity procedures."

KERC also faulted KEDL for classifying work at height on high-voltage network as "routine" to bypass a formal Permit to Work (PTW) system, and for failure of supervisory control.

The sanction imposed by KERC is based on asset integrity failure, pre-work verification and deficiency in supervisory control.

The Commission ordered KEDL to pay the N20m fine within 21 days or else faced with additional fee of N500,000 per day in default.

Aside this sanction for safety bridge, KEDL was also ordered to produce evidence of Group Life Assurance, Workmen's Compensation and pension benefits paid to the family of the late Yusuf within 30 days, submit an engineering audit of all reused poles within 60 days, enforce mandatory pre-climb verification logs, and to sanction the supervisor involved in the workplace accident.

KERC warned that continued non-compliance may lead to suspension of operational privileges and further severe sanctions under the Kogi State Electricity Law, 2024.

Conversely, second sanction against KEDL arose from the electrical incident of 9th December, 2025 at New Market, Lokoja, involving Ms. Suleiman Ramatu, who sustained severe injuries where an 11kV conductor snapped.

KERC ruled that KEDL failed in five critical areas: failure to maintain the integrity of the affected 11kV asset, failure to demonstrate effective inspection and documentation, failure to effectively control a known public-safety hazard, inadequate management of known Right-of-Way encroachment, and failure to implement its safety management system at the location.

The Commission said KEDL was aware that traders operated persistently under the energized 11kV line but did not put in place engineering controls to eliminate the risk.

KERC described this as its principal finding, stating: "Identification of a hazard is not equivalent to control of the hazard. Public sensitisation is not a substitute for effective engineering and operational controls."

KEDL's argument that it had engaged Town Planning authorities and that feeder protection operated after the failure was accepted only as mitigation, not as a defence.

For these breaches of NESIS Regulations 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.6.1, 5.2.10.3, 5.2.11, 1.5.3.1 and 1.5.4.1, KERC computed penalties in line with the violations but conditionally waived payment to prioritize victim welfare.

KEDL was DIRECTED to bear all reasonable, necessary and properly documented costs of medical treatment, rehabilitation and related care for Ms. Ramatu.

KERC warned that the waiver does not mean exoneration and that any failure to comply will lead to revocation and immediate recovery of the amount.

KEDL was further ordered to immediately inspect and certify the affected 11kV line, repair all defects, conduct a comprehensive safety assessment of all 11kV lines in markets and densely populated areas, establish a location-specific public-safety hazard register, install interim controls such as safety nets and cradle guards, and submit a comprehensive compliance report within 30 days and quarterly reports for 12 months.