An evening in Kano, which should have been just another social gathering, turned into a chilling encounter with a silent, ever-present danger that looms over far too many communities. As I prepared to attend an event, the stark reality of what many residents navigate daily hit me with alarming clarity: high-tension wires, those conduits of immense power, are often dangerously close, or even directly above, where people live and work.
This isn’t just about a potential hazard; it’s about a ticking time bomb. The phrase “walking under death wires” is not hyperbole; it’s a stark description of the perilous reality. The potential for catastrophic accidents, electrocutions, and widespread power failures due to unregulated proximity to these critical infrastructures is immense and unacceptable.
It’s time for more than just concern; it’s time for decisive action. I unequivocally call upon the Kano State Government, the Ministry of Environment, the electricity distribution authorities, and all other relevant regulatory agencies to intervene — and to do so with the utmost urgency. This is not a problem that can be relegated to the slow grind of endless committee meetings or the theoretical realm of distant policy drafts.
What is needed now is immediate, tangible intervention:
- Immediate Enforcement: Strict adherence to safety standards must be enforced without delay.
- Public Sensitisation: Residents need to be fully aware of the dangers and what precautions to take.
- Relocation Where Necessary: Communities or structures in dangerously close proximity must be safely relocated.
- Strict Regulation: Activities around high-tension corridors must be rigorously controlled and monitored.
Our safety, the safety of our children, and the integrity of our essential services depend on swift and resolute action. Let this serve as a critical alarm bell for a situation that demands our collective attention and immediate resolution before tragedy strikes.
Source: Original Article
