By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Kaduna Electric has expressed great concerns over the high frequency of incidents of vandalism of electrical installations across its franchise.
In the face of the difficult challenge however, it said it is doing a lot to tackle the menace.
The Chief Technical Officer, Engr Lawal Aliyu Mashi, disclosed in a statement, that, “about 172 cases of vandalism was reported across the four franchise states of the company between July and September this year”. He added that the company lost N138,056,343 worth of equipment within the period.
Citing examples of some of the incidences within the period, the statement said 42 meters of earthing cable was vandalised at Abakpa Injection Substation while four meters of 500MM2 neutral incomer cables where also stolen at Katuru Village in Badarawa, Kaduna. In Jere, the statement said since the community was put out of supply due to payment default, 174 spans of aluminium cables, 22 HT poles, 20 upriver cables, 34 cross arms, 142 channel irons and one set of feeder pillar unit had been vandalised. In Gusau, Zamfara state, 12 span of 150mm aluminium conductor was vandalised.
Similarly, the 300KVA FECT 2 substation was vandalised with 300mm 2 single core cable stolen.
Highlighting some of the efforts being done to combat the spate of vandalism in its franchise, Kaduna Electric’s Chief Security Officer, Col. Ubale Abubakar (rrd), said the comapany has stepped up engagements with security agencies including the military, police and civil defence corps to help with the arrest and prosecution of suspects.
He said Kaduna Electric has devised a strategy of regular engagemnts with Divisional Police Officers, officials of the Criminal Investigation Department and State Investigation Bureau and heads of military formations in its franchise states to raise awareness on how it adversely affects its operations.
Col. Ubale also noted that the regional and area office leadership have been holding regular engagements with community, traditional and religious leaders to sensitise them on the menace of vandalism.
He said although the efforts have been yielding results with the apprehension and subsequent conviction of some of the vandals, a lot more needed to be done to eliminate the vice.
He thanked all the security agencies that have been working tirelessly to support Kaduna Electric in the fight against criminal elements bent on sabotaging efforts to provide improved power supply to customers.
He tasked communities to be vigilant and take ownership of electricity installations in their localities.
He advised that any suspicious movement around electricity installations should be reported immediately to any Kaduna Electric office or security agencies.
