08/07/2026
NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY (NOA), RIVERS STATE
REPORT ON PHED STAKEHOLDERS' SUMMIT ON RIGHT OF WAY COMPLIANCE AND PUBLIC/STAFF ACCIDENT PREVENTION
Date: Tuesday, 7th July, 2026
Venue: Casoni Hotel, Stadium Road, Elekahia, Port Harcourt
Participants
The summit brought together government officials, electricity sector stakeholders, customers and development partners. Participants included National Orientation Agency (NOA), Rivers State Directorate; Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Police Force; Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; Rivers State Ministry of Urban Planning and Physical Development; Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency (RISAA); Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA); Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN); Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); PHED staff; and other relevant stakeholders.
Aim
The summit was organised to create awareness on combating public safety incidents through compliance with Powerline Right of Way (RoW) regulations and to promote accident prevention among both the public and electricity workers.
Programme Highlights
In his opening address, the Chief Technical Officer (CTO), who represented the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of PHED, Engr. Adeolu Taiwo, stated that one of the major challenges confronting the electricity industry is the increasing encroachment on powerline Right of Way corridors and the prevalence of unsafe activities around electrical installations. He called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address these challenges and improve public safety.
The Head of HSE/ESG, Engr. Itoro Essienobon, in his presentation, disclosed that electricity-related fatalities have risen from one recorded death in 2020 to twenty-one deaths by 2026, with the highest casualty figure of nine deaths recorded in 2023 from fourteen reported incidents. He appealed to the Ministry of Urban Planning and Physical Development to strengthen monitoring of building approvals and ensure strict compliance with the Right of Way regulations, particularly the statutory 5.5-metre clearance requirement for 33kV and 11kV power lines. He also stressed the need for effective enforcement of these regulations.
Furthermore, he revealed that PHED recorded a high rate of vandalism between 2025 and the second quarter of 2026, noting that such acts continue to pose serious threats to electricity infrastructure and public safety.
Staff members were equally encouraged to remain safety conscious at all times and ensure the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while carrying out electrical operations.
The summit also provided an opportunity for networking and constructive engagement among PHED staff, customers and other stakeholders.
NOA's Participation
Speaking at the summit, NOA Rivers State Director, Dr. Edward Banigo, appreciated the organisers for inviting the Agency to participate in the programme. He reiterated that NOA's core mandate is to sensitise, mobilise, and reorient Nigerians on policies and programmes emphasizing that an informed citizen is better equipped to make responsible decisions, especially on issues affecting safety of lives and property.
He encouraged PHED to deepen its engagement with communities and partner with NOA in disseminating electricity safety messages to the grassroots, noting that sustained public enlightenment remains critical to preventing avoidable electricity accidents.
NOA Observation
NOA Rivers observed that the summit was well organised and provided an effective platform for conversations, collaboration and stakeholder engagement on electricity safety.
The event attracted a broad spectrum of stakeholders, with a strong commitment to promoting zero tolerance for electricity accidents through compliance with Powerline Right of Way regulations.
Active participation of government institutions, security agencies and industry regulators further strengthened the credibility and impact of the programme.
The theme, "Combating Public Safety Incidents through Compliance with Powerlines Right of Way Regulation," was timely and effectively communicated throughout the summit, reinforcing the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding lives and protecting critical electricity infrastructure.
NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY
Rivers State Directorate
July 2026