Egbin Power Station Halts Operations Following Fatal Accident Involving Diver During Submerged Maintenance Work

Egbin Power Plc has ceased all operations in the wake of a devastating industrial accident that claimed the life of a contractor during an underwater maintenance procedure, prompting the shutdown of the plant, a key player in the national electricity supply.

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This incident occurred on Tuesday and resulted in the plant being taken offline, with the company's Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Felix Ofulue, confirming the development on Thursday and extending condolences to the family of the deceased.

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According to Ofulue, the company swiftly activated its established emergency response, safety, and reporting protocols following the incident, and promptly notified the relevant authorities, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and cooperation.

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The company is currently collaborating with the relevant authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, with a review also underway, as stated by Ofulue, who emphasized Egbin Power's unwavering dedication to the health, safety, and well-being of all personnel and contractors.

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A source familiar with the development, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that the contractor was performing specialized underwater work at the plant's pump house when the accident occurred, with the task involving the retrieval or stabilization of a submerged pumping machine.

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The equipment unexpectedly powered on while the diver was still within the restricted zone, resulting in the tragic loss of life, with the source explaining that the diver was attempting to carry out a recovery operation inside the lagoon water pump system when the pump came on unexpectedly.

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The deceased contractor was affiliated with Browndive Underwater Services, a firm renowned for handling complex underwater industrial operations across Nigeria's oil, gas, and maritime sectors, according to the source.

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Operations at the affected section were immediately halted, leading to a broader shutdown of the facility for safety checks and assessment, with the source noting that the plant has remained offline and disconnected from the national grid since April 28.

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During this period, engineers and safety officials have been conducting detailed assessments, highlighting the significance of the plant, which has an installed capacity of 1,320 megawatts and plays a vital role in the nation's power generation.