BEDC bemoans rising case of vandalism in franchise areas

BEDC Electricity Plc (BEDC) has decried the rising cases of vandalism across its franchise zone which it says aside from being an economic crime is an act of sabotage against the good purpose and intents of the company, canvassing that the effects of vandalism should stimulate tougher laws to be enforced to protect public property, especially electricity infrastructure.

This information was made available by the company in a press statement signed by the Head, Corporate Affairs, Mr Adekunle Tayo, where he appealed to members of the public on the need to be vigilant and security conscious on the activities of some unruly elements in the society whose aim is to make life unbearable for them through their nefarious acts.

According to BEDC, the power sector has been the most hit in the most devastating manner and the effect of vandalism cannot be overemphasized as residential customers, industries, small and medium scale businesses are being starved of power as a result of the activities of vandals.

“The recent surge in cases of vandalism within our franchise area calls for greater attention. More worrisome is the fact that these miscreants are continuously innovating new ideas beyond human comprehension to perpetuate their criminal acts.

“We see the recent vandalism of 14 spans of electrical conductors in Ilu-titun, Southern Ondo State, on a line currently being rehabilitated by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) is very disturbing.

“More disturbing is the fact that Okitipupa town was recently thrown into blackout as a result of the vandalism of 20 spans of electrical conductors which occurred between Ode-Aye and Okitipupa. As a company, we see these as acts of economic sabotage against the good intents of BEDC,” he remarked.

According to Mr Tayo, BEDC regrets the situation whereby the money that could have been judiciously invested in network upgrades such as energisation of new transformers or construction of new lines to relieve existing ones would now be channelled towards replacing the vandalised items. It is indeed unfortunate that revenue that could be used for critical development projects are being used to restore damaged and stolen equipment.

“We are however not relenting in our quest to overcome this societal issue through improved community relations drive of involving all stakeholders at the grassroots aside ensuring that our facilities are well secured in our bid to arrest this ugly trend,” the statement added.

Vandalism of electricity distribution network and other forms of electrical thefts are serious threats to power sector sustainability and economic growth and have been major acts negatively affecting service delivery to customers.

Efforts by BEDC at curbing the menace of vandalism on its network had received a boost with the sentencing of one David James to three years imprisonment by a Benin Magistrate Court 6 in Egor Local Government Area of Edo state recently.