By Constance Athekame
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has taken its sensitisation campaign to Lambata, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger to educate residents on the effect of vandalism on electricity infrastructure.
The company at the campaign on Monday, raised concerns over increasing attacks on electricity infrastructure in the state.
Mr Musa Shuaibu, General Manager, Transmission, Abuja Region of TCN said that the campaign was to seek the support of traditional rulers, vigilance groups and security agencies following the frequent cases of vandalism in the area.
Shuaibu described vandalism as an economic sabotage capable of undermining electricity supply and frustrating government’s effort to improve power supply for economic growth in the state.
According to him, vandals have destroyed 14 tower spans of its 132-kilovolt (KV) high-voltage transmission lines in the axis.
“The affected transmission lines, constructed more than four decades ago, were designed to wheel electricity from the Shiroro axis through Minna, Bida and Suleja to the Federal Capital Territory.”
“ The line had operated for decades without major interference until recently, when criminals began targeting its conductors, ‘’ he said.
Shauaibu said that when these lines were vandalised, there could still be residual voltage on the conductors adding , that farmers working around the area might unknowingly come in contact with them.
“We have seen situations where animals die after coming close to such installations. We do not pray for human casualties. That is why everyone must take this issue seriously,” he said.
The TCN official said that the vandalised infrastructure directly supplied power to Abuja Electricity Distribution Companies (AEDC) before power supply could get to consumers.
Shuaibu also said that the destruction of transmission assets could impede the Niger State Electricity Commission’s operations and discourage industrial investment.
“If these lines are not there, how will the commission function effectively? Potential investors may refuse to establish industries in the state because of inadequate infrastructure, ‘’ he said.
Shuaibu said that several suspects arrested in connection with attacks on transmission facilities in the FCT were currently facing prosecution.
“Presently, we have suspects who were apprehended for vandalising TCN assets. Cases have been taken to court and those found guilty would face severe punishment.
“We appeal to residents to report suspicious activities around transmission lines as communities that help expose vandals would be rewarded, ‘’ he said.
“Security and vigilance groups and TCN officials cannot do it alone. We need the cooperation of all to fight the menace of vandalism,” he said.
Mr Ada Ngbede, Deputy Superintendent, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) , Gurara Division, described vandalism as economic sabotage that undermined development.
Ngbede said that cutting of cables or stealing transformers was not a scrap business as seen by those sabotaging government efforts to put the right infrastructure in place.
“Vandalism plunges communities into darkness, destroy infrastructure worth billions of naira and threatens life; so we must see it as sabotage against the country, ‘’ he said.
He, however, urged the collaboration of other security agencies and communities to end the act of vandalism.
ASP Galadima Edward, who represented the Divisional Police Officer of Lambata described transmission facilities as critical national assets that required urgent protection.
Edward said that the vandalism of transmission towers and cables had become a recurring problem in the Lambata axis and Gurara communities.
He urged communities to collaborate with security agencies.
“These installations belong to all Nigerians. There is need for community leaders, security agencies and TCN management to work together to protect them, ‘’ he said.
Alhaji Ibrahim Salihu, District Head of Izom in Gurara Local Government Area assured TCN of the support of traditional institutions in tackling the menace.
“We are going to inform our people to be vigilant , watch over government property and report any suspicious activity to security agencies or vigilance group, ‘’ he said.
According to him, mobility is important for the vigilante group to monitor power facilities along the transmission lines.
Salihu called on TCN to strengthen monitoring of its right-of-way corridors to prevent encroachment and minimise opportunities for vandalism.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that officials of the local vigilance group, officers of the NSCDC, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Niger State Road Traffic Management Agency were present at the meeting.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa
