The rising cases of vandalisation of power facilities has become a worrisome trend, as it not only impacts the finances of the electricity distribution companies, but reduces the quality of service customers receive and puts them at risk.
According to the Head, Corporate Communications of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Mr. Emeka Ezeh, this is a challenge to the electricity distribution companies in Nigeria, frustrating the efforts to improve electricity in country.
In a statement disclosed to NAN, he noted, with dismay, that there has been an almost daily record of vandalism of electricity installations, especially within the network in the South-East Nigeria.
He appealed to customers to be vigilant in ensuring that the installations are not vandalised, as it would adversely affect the quality of service they receive, and in some cases, put their lives at risk.
“In some cases, investigations have led to the recovery of vandalised items at the residence of these vandals who happen to live among other tenants.
“We, therefore, appeal to our customers to be more vigilant, ensure that the electrical installations within their neighbourhoods are not attacked” he said.
According to Ezeh, the vandalism which ranges from theft to destruction of armoured cables, feeder pillar units, transformer oil, either reduces or completely disrupts the service received by the customers. These, in turn, affect the DisCos finances.
In addition, the financial implication of replacing these facilities still have to be shouldered by innocent customers or sometimes by the distribution company.
“We have been recording cases of vandalism almost on a daily basis across the network, and this should not be allowed to continue.
“We call on well-meaning and law-abiding customers to join hands in the fight, as they are the worst hit when these installations are vandalised,’’ Ezeh noted.
He said that the company had intensified effort in its engagement with critical stakeholders to forestall the ugly trend, adding that some of the vandals had been apprehended, prosecuted and are serving their terms in the various correctional centers.
The company is fully committed toward tackling this growing ugly trend headlong.
The Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) recently decried a monthly loss of over N30 billion revenue to electricity theft, and called for appropriate legislation to check the act.
According to an official statement, over 40% of electricity consumers do not pay their electricity bills, as they indulge in illegal connection of electricity, and this results in revenue loss for the distribution companies.
