By Ndumbe Bell Joseph Gaston in Douala
Stunning revelations were the outcome of a seminar sponsored by the Subcontracting and Partnership Exchange (SPX-CMR) better known in French as BSTP-CMR, on the “Prevention of electric accidents, It’s preventive and reactive strategies”. The seminar was meant to acclimatise students with Masters degrees, SMEs and SMI project bearers in the sector.
The two-day session that was held at the Chamber of Commerce headquarters conference hall last October 23 to 24, brought to light the shocking health risks that are linked to those who buy plots and construct homes under electric transformers and pylons, the dangers of illegal and fraudulent connections in neighbourhoods and the rampant problems of short-circuit which have been found to cause the loss of human lives, fire disasters and the colossal loss of property. The same problems also exist in enterprises.
Commerce Headquarters Douala
The disclosures that the award of construction permits by unscrupulous officials of the councils or community leaders is classified as a suicidal act that exposes the occupants in varied health risks such as possible miscarriages, death or abnormalities of the foetus while in similar circumstances the microwave effects which is unseen by the naked eye breeds dangers of infertility in the man or woman or both of them.
In addition, other health risks are related to memory loss over time, lack of appetite and shrinking weight loss over time, among others.
Speaking to one of the ENEO resource persons, Koungoue Philbert, he appreciated the efforts of SPX-CMR for being committed in injecting awareness to prospective actors (such) as the student community and entrepreneurs in the sector. He said the problems are mostly tied to human weaknesses and egoism while advising that illicit practices can only be prevented by ending such practices and urged the public to work with the nearest electricity corporation offices to have first hand professional and ethical practices.
Koungoue also advised those wishing to build homes to move 15-30 meters away from pylons or transformers as the case might be. This is the standard guide.
A student by name Assana Batchang Thesy, a Masters graduate in Quality Health Safety and Environmental Management expressed her gratitude to have learnt in practical terms what is usually missed in class work. Attestations were handed over to participants by the organiser of best practices, Mbah Fosse.