The management of Ibadan Electricity Company Plc (IBEDC) in the Republic of Nigeria has expressed concern over what it described as “incessant cases” of vandalism of electrical installations across its network.
A statement issued by the company and signed by the Chief Operating Officer, Mr John Ayodele, said the activities of vandals have plunged lots of households, businesses, and communities into darkness while costing the company revenue losses worth millions of naira.
The company noted that the alleged vandals mostly target transformers and Up-riser cables worth millions of naira.
“From January to April 2020, more than 38 Transformers have been vandalized amounting to 1154.9 Mwh undelivered energy.
“For instance, in the Olulana community under Ijeun business hub, the 300KVA Transformer has been vandalized several times, also in Ogun state, Victory 500KVA Transformer in Mowe community was vandalized on different occasions. The Transformers at Iragbbiji and Orororowu communities under the Ikirun business hub in Osun State were dismantled by vandals, leaving the people in total darkness for months,”the company said.
It added that the vandals also recently carted away cables of a 330KVA and 500KVA transformers at Surulere and Kuponniyi substations at Oyo State. This is as he urged community leaders, youth associations, and security agencies to work with the distribution company in the protection of electrical installations within their communities.
The company called on vigilante groups and any other patriotic members of the communities with useful information to report cases or culprits of vandalism promptly, adding that the company will continue to collaborate with security agencies to track the vandals and prosecute them.
It warned that anyone caught would be made to face prosecution, adding that it would no longer be business as usual for the vandals.
According to the company, the vandals risk being electrocuted and cautioned that offenders and collaborators in the crime when apprehended would be liable for up to life jail term.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com