Olushola Bello
Disturbed by the rate of vandalism of electricity assets in the country, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has recommended capital punishment for anyone caught vandalising electricity assets and critical infrastructure.
The minister stated this during a meeting with heads of agencies in the sector in Abuja on Monday.
According to the Minister that recommendation was part of the new power policy document that the Federal Government has been pushing through the National Assembly.
The minister also stated that there are plans to increase power generation to at least 6,000 megawatts of electricity in the next two weeks, stating that the current 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts generation was unacceptable.
The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, he said, has been working out the final figures that would see to the payment of debts owed generation companies.
Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were on Sunday thrown into darkness as sabouteurs vandalised the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line.
According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the vandalism of the transmission line makes it the fifth of such incident within February and March this.
“This incident adds to a series of vandalism incidents recorded by TCN in February 2024, including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalada-Katampe transmission line on February 26, 2024. Other incidents include the vandalism of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line on February 23, 2024, and the attack on towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line on February 15, 2024.
“Additionally, on February 1, 2024, Tower number 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132kV single circuit transmission line collapsed due to vandalism.
“These acts of sabotage are unacceptable, and TCN urges relevant security agencies and host communities to collaborate in apprehending the perpetrators. Protection of the nation’s transmission infrastructure is paramount, and collaborative efforts are required to curb these incidents.
“TCN calls upon all Nigerians to assist in reporting acts of vandalism. Electricity infrastructure is a national asset and safequarding it is a collective responsibility,” the TCN stated.
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