The spate of physical violence on some necessary workers in our society is increasing tremendously, by the day.
Almost every day, the media is inundated with the news of all forms of assaults, especially on those who work in important sectors within the society.
Unfortunately, this ugly trend has not spared Electricity distribution workers and this is a dangerous position that must be discouraged, in its entirety.
Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), recently, cried out against assault on its staff while on duty, calling it barbaric and inhumane.
Primary cause for violence melted out at the EKEDC staff could be dissatisfaction by teeming customers of the company. However, attacking the staff members is not the solution.
Chief spokesperson for the electricity distribution company, Godwin Idemudia, in a statement, lamented the assault on Sanmi Mathew Akanni, a driver with the Ikate zone team under its Orile district on November 29. 2022.
The recent incident experienced by the EKEDC staff, wherein a customer assaulted the staff has brought the discourse to the fore again. In the process of trying to correct the anomalies, the staff got a beating of his life.
Idemudia stated that Akanni was assaulted by one Mr. Ayomide Oyebanjo after an illegal connection was discovered. He said: “While in the process of disconnecting the illegal connection, bottles were broken by Oyebanjo and the driver, Akanni was stabbed severally. We have pictorial evidence to prove this.
With the significant rise in the population of Lagos, both in numbers and in houses, customers must patiently put themselves in the shoes of these staffers. It’s gradually almost becoming impossible to be at different locations at the same time. These frequent acts of violence against employees can affect their morale over time.
The arrest of the culprit, perhaps, will serve as a deterrent to others who may have this kind of crime in mind.
“The case was immediately reported at Itire Police Station by the company’s District Legal Officer and the culprit was arrested. He was charged to court on Wednesday November 30, refused bail and remanded at Ikoyi Correctional centre. Meanwhile, Akanni is on admission and receiving treatment at a hospital in Lagos.”
Although the company has put up “zero tolerance” signs, customers do not adhere to this instruction. These inhumane acts must be made to face the full extent of the law to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
He stressed that the company is currently implementing initiatives to reduce the number of assaults on staff and encouraged customers to assist the company in its fight against assault and other unlawful activities.
At this juncture, it has become expedient, therefore, for policymakers, and supervisors to work collaboratively to minimise workplace violence and ensure the safety and psychophysical stability of all Electricity workers in Lagos and the nation at large.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspaper
