TVC N. A Magistrate Court sitting in Enugu has remanded four persons in prison custody over vandalization of a power sub-station belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
The charge, with No. 619c/2016 has been referred to the Enugu State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further advice.
The accused persons were identified as: Emeka Okoye (21 years), Victor Agu (25 years), Ikem Okefi (25 years), Chinedu Agwara (21 years) and Onyebuchi Nweke (22 years).
They were reported to have carried out the attack on a “High Street” 500KVA 11/0.415KV distribution substation, situated in Okpara Avenue, Enugu State.
According to the EEDC head of communication, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, in a statement he made available to DAILY POST on Tuesday, the vandals, who were apprehended as they were burning off the insulation of the armoured cable to gain access to the copper wire, were immediately handed over to the Police for further prosecution.
While decrying the high rate of such incidents, Ezeh said, “the Management of EEDC frowns at the increasing rate at which some few elements in our society chose to inconvenience others by vandalising electrical installations provided to serve the general public.
“In the month of October, 2016, the Utility company recorded not fewer than 18 distribution substations that were vandalised.
“This has been a recurring act, which has not only affected the company’s revenue drastically, but also its operations; thereby making it difficult for the company to effectively attend to the growing needs of its customers.
“We are bogged down with requests from our District offices and Service Centers for the procurement and replacement of these vandalised equipments which ranges from armoured cables (including intermediate and up-riser cables) and transformer oils, and the cost implication for replacing these equipment run into millions of Naira
“Despite these challenges, we have continued to provide service to our customers; it is difficult for any company to survive with this kind of harsh situation. We therefore continue to seek the support and cooperation of our customers in ensuring that these installations provided to serve them are protected against vandals.
“EEDC appreciates and commend the effort of various Vigilante groups, Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police for their unalloyed commitment towards ensuring that those behind these clandestine act of sabotage are apprehended and brought to book.
“We wish to once again reassure our esteemed customers of our total commitment to providing them with quality and efficient service.”
