EEDC decries increased attacks on its installations in South-East

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has decried the increasing rate at which its electricity installations are being attacked by vandals in the South-East.

The Head of Corporate Communications of EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, raised the alarm in a statement issued in Enugu on Thursday.

Ezeh noted that if the increasing attack rate was not immediately checked, most of the company’s customers would not be able to enjoy a power supply.

According to him, it is, therefore, necessary that the customers should be more vigilant and protect electrical installations in their areas.

He disclosed that vandals had taken advantage of the poor power generation experienced across the nation, which had a direct impact on EEDC’s daily energy allocation, and supply to its customers.

He said: “The company records cases of vandalised substations almost on a daily basis.

“Most of them have been vandalised multiple times, thereby leaving the company in perpetual replacement of vandalised parts of this equipment.

“We are spending millions of naira fixing these vandalised substations, and with our current financial position, this is no longer sustainable.

“Customers are therefore encouraged to be more vigilant in ensuring that electricity installations sited within their neighbourhood are protected against attack,” he stated.

The head of corporate communications urged the people not to allow themselves to be thrown into darkness and discomfort by the criminal elements in society.

Ezeh said that over the weekend, police in Oyi, Anambra, arrested a suspected vandal, Nnanna Uyamudu, along Airport Road in possession of a large quantity of coated aluminium conductor he stole around Ukpor Junction.

He said that some weeks ago at Umuanwu Umuodo, Isiala North Local Government Area in Abia, another suspect, Ikenna Obimba, was arrested by the villagers for allegedly vandalising the company’s installation in the area.

He further recounted that three persons Chinonso Ogu, Ifeanyi Nnachi and Ibiam Amah, were apprehended by some members of the Electricity Committee of Owerri, Imo capital.

The head of corporate communications said that the suspects were vandalising a 500KVA distribution substation belonging to EEDC.

Eze confirmed that the suspects were all handed over to the respective police commands for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He appealed to its customers who had been expressing concern over the drop in power supply that once power generation improved, the supply would also improve.

He thanked the various vigilante groups and security agencies across the states for their support in clamping down on the bad eggs in society. (NAN)