05Dec, 23
- Temidayo Taiwo-Sidiq
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The House of Representatives has facilitated a compensation package amounting to thirty million naira (N30,000,000) for Tairu Quadri Adewale; an Amputee Electricity Worker.
This development took place on Tuesday, December 5 2023, following the presentation of a Final Settlement of Liability Claims Cheque to Mr. Quadri by the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) management, during a brief ceremony at the National Assembly, Abuja.
As a 400-Level Electrical Engineering Intern from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Mr. Quadri had suffered fatal electrocution in May 2008 while on duty for the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Lagos.
The incident which occurred barely two weeks into his industrial training, claimed the life of his colleague on the spot and was said to have been occasioned by a breakdown in communication between a despatch operator and the switch operator at the office.
At the ceremony, while pledging to look out for more opportunities to assist the victim, NELMCO expressed hope that the compensation will help in alleviating Mr. Quadri’s sufferings,
“NELMCO hopes that this will someway in helping to alleviate the sufferings of Mr. Quadri and his family. And we will continue to provide support for him and his family where we can. And we are still looking at opportunities where we can be of some assistance to help him further,” Mojoyinoluwa Dekalu-Thomas, CEO/ MD of NELMCO, stated in her remarks.
On his part, Rep. Mike Etaba (APC, Cross River), Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions urged NELMCO to consider compensating the family of Mr. Quadri’s colleague who lost his life during the incident.
“He survived it. His colleague could not survive it. Now, NELMCO, you are here today presenting a cheque to Mr. Quadri. I want you also to consider. In spite of the fact that there is no petition before us, in respect to who has lost his life. Try and reach out to the family.”
For Rep. Wale Raji (APC, Lagos), his Representative at the House of Representatives who filed the petition on his behalf, recounted the quest for justice in the previous Assemblies. The Lagos lawmaker further enlightened the public about the quasi-judicial function of the parliament through the Committee on Public Petitions.
“There is a common saying that the Judiciary is the last hope of the common man. But with this, it has been demonstrated that through the legislature, people can seek redress when they suffer one denial of right or injury in one way or the other.” One thing that I have assured the family is that we will continue to support them and we have given some advice in respect to the use of the money and we will continue to support them.
Narrating his ordeal over the years to journalists, the victim appreciated the efforts of the National Assembly in bringing him succour through the compensation package. He however, worried that while the package will go some length in improving his living, his psychological state has barely improved.
“It has been very traumatic for me, for my family and one of the saddest things for me is that I couldn’t complete my education. It has not been easy, but thankfully to my dear wife who has been very very very supportive. She’s always with me 24/7. For whatever it is. I just know she was God-sent,” he said. “Without undermining the National Assembly’s effort. This N30m, probably will improve my life but psychologically, it cannot erase anything for me. Is it the educational career that has been thrashed into the dustbin? Is it my psychological life that cannot be balanced again?” he queried.
With his arms amputated, his academic pursuit came to a halt, ushering in what would become fifteen years of trauma for Mr. Quadri, married to Azeezat; both of whom are parents to three children. The development led him to approach the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions in 2016 through his Representative in the Green Chamber, Rep. Wale Raji (APC, Lagos).
Rep. Raji, who has been the representative of Mr Quadri’s Epe Federal Constituency for at least the last three terms, filed a petition on behalf of the victim before the Committee on Public Petitions. Subsequently, the Committee in the Eighth (8th) Assembly awarded the victim a compensation package of eighty million naira (N80m) after its findings, which was reviewed in the Ninth National Assembly to one hundred million naira (N100m).
Respite however came the way of Tairu Quadri Adewale in the Tenth House of Representatives, with the compensation of thirty million naira (N30,000,000) as agreed by NELMCO.
The Tenth Assembly in line with its Peoples’ House Legislative Agenda remains committed to service delivery leading to better governance, increased public trust, and more meaningful representation. This it intends to achieve through the Committee on Public Petitions and other relevant committees.
Image Credit: Premium Times
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