Yemisi Izuora
The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, has commenced a vegetation management exercise as part of its strategy to improve power supply and prevent incidences of fire, electrocution and other safety hazards in some states.
Mrs. Angela Olanrewaju, Head, Media Communications and Strategy of the company said in a statement on Thursday that the states to benefit from the vegetation management exercise across its franchise include Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, parts of Niger, Ekiti and Kogi states.
Vegetation Management is the systematic removal of encroaching trees, tree branches, plants or leaves to prevent interference with overhead powerlines.
The Chief Operating Officer, Mr John Ayodele said the company as a responsible organization, was cognizant of the implication of cutting trees on climate change issues and the need for balance in the ecosystem.
Ayodele said vegetation management across company’s business had become imperative due to the danger and disruption to power supply posed by dense vegetation currently encroaching on its electrical installations.
He also said, “In the power sector we, classify this as a fourfold threat to persons, environment, equipment and materials.
“The risk factors of encroaching vegetation on power distribution are frequent network interruptions and increased downtime because when the trees encroach on overhead powerlines, they bridge the phases resulting in a transient or permanent fault.
Encroaching trees increase the risks of fire outbreak especially during harmattan season when they are dry and burn easily. The resultant effect of a fire outbreak could be crippling and lead to loss of lives and property damage.
“Also, encroaching vegetation on power distribution installations place members of the public at the risk of electric shock and electrocution.
“Trees within the proximity of the electromagnetic field of powerlines can become conductors of electricity resulting in electric shock or electrocution of unsuspecting passersby.
He further appealed to customers to support and cooperate with IBEDC’s staff and contractors when they come to their locality to carry out the exercise, saying vegetation management was an important feature in the reliability and safety of electrical power distribution.
Ayodele said it was a preventive and proactive maintenance practice that ensures the protection, sustainability, profitability and satisfaction of all stakeholders within the company’s franchise area.