Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) PLC has condemned the recurrent incidents of vandalism across its franchise zone.
It describes the vandalism as an act of sabotage against the good purpose and intentions of the company.
BEDC said the effects of vandalism should stimulate tougher laws to be enforced to protect public property, especially electricity infrastructure.
The Head, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Adekunle Tayo, in a statement yesterday, appealed to the public to be vigilant and security conscious, to combat the activities of unruly elements in the society, whose aim is to make life unbearable for people through their nefarious acts.
BEDC said the power sector had been the most hit in the most devastating manner and the effect of vandalism could not be overemphasised, as residential customers, industries, small and medium scale businesses were 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 perpetrate their criminal acts. We see the recent vandalism of 14 spans of electricity conductors at Ilu-titun, southern Ondo State, on a line currently being rehabilitated by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), as very disturbing. More disturbing is that Okitipupa town was recently thrown into blackout as a result of the vandalism of 20 spans of electricity 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,” Tayo said.
