A non-governmental organisation, Electricity Consumers Rights Initiative (ECRI) has lamented the incessant attacks on power infrastructure across the country.
ECRI National Coordinator, Dr. Samuel Ogon, in a statement, said that an independent investigation conducted by his organisation revealed that between 2022 and September 2023, not fewer than one hundred (100) electricity facilities have been attacked by vandals.
Ogon decried that, despite repeated warnings and appeals by government and stakeholders, power facilities especially transmission infrastructures have continued to be the target, as more than twenty incidences of attacks have been recorded between January to September this year.
Continuing, he explained that " according to our findings, in the northern part of the country, particularly, Kano Region of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN alone, 49nos towers have been vandalized between 2022 and now. In the West, particularly TCN's Osogbo Region, 51 facilities have come under attack within this period. In Central or TCN Abuja Region, 19, and in the east where TCN has the Enugu Region, 18 power facilities have been destroyed.
These things are happening all over the country. We destroy power facilities and then turn around to blame the government for not providing electricity. This sabotage from those working against the Nigerian State must stop. "
He implored "security agencies to up their game to ensure the protection, arrest and prosecution of these criminal elements. We also call on the host communities and well-meaning Nigerians to collaborate to help in protecting government assets. Each time a government asset is destroyed, we're setting the nation aback because the funds that are supposed to be used for something else would now go into fixing those things. "
He concluded that "let's help government to provide us with clean, stable and sustainable energy. This is what our organisation stands for, but as we're fighting for the rights of Nigerian citizens to enjoy access to affordable electricity, citizens must play their part by ensuring the take ownership of power assets. "
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