Rivers Government has arrested an assistant pastor and sealed a church (names withheld) over electrocution of five people during the installation of a giant billboard at Obiri-Ikwerre flyover, Port Harcourt, in the state capital on Monday.
The billboard was being erected for the church under a high tension wire tension wire near Obiri Ikwerre flyover, along East West road when it fell on on electric pole leading to instant death of five of the workers involved in the construction.
Four others involved in the erection of the billboard also sustained different degrees of injury.
It was discovered at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital that victims of the accident were hired by the church to mount billboard.
One of the workers, Emmanuel Osita, said he cannot confirm if the church got official approval from Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency, RISSA, to erect the billboard.
However, director of RISSA, Tony Okeah, confirmed that people were shocked by electricity while mounting the billboard.
He said the billboard was being erected without approval.
Okeah also confirmed that the Pastor of the Church building had been sealed until investigations into the incident is concluded.
(PM)
