Bayelsa State Government has described the vandalization of power towers and consequent blackout in the state as an attack on the social and economic wellbeing of the residents of the state and a sabotage on government’s investment drive.
The State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai stated this while speaking to journalists after an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing works to re-erect the two out of the three dismembered and collapsed power towers at the Igbogene end of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) facilities.
Hon. Koku-Obiyai advised residents to be vigilant as the recent extensive attack on powerlines supplying electricity to the state is suggestive of a calculated attempt at making life difficult for the resident of the state urging them to join government at condemning the unfortunate criminal attacks on power towers.
The Information Commissioner however commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN) for responding quickly to the calls of the Bayelsa State Government to restore the collapsed Towers.
She expressed the optimism that power will be restored soon, with the commencement of repairs in Bayelsa and thirteen other collapsed and compromised towers between Okugbe and Mbiama in Rivers State.
The commissioner however urged political gladiators to desist from turning the disaster into blame game as their attitude is capable of strengthening the hands of the vandals who are likely to find support in their political approach to the serious issues of development.
She urged Bayelsans to be patient with the Federal Government controlled Transmission Company of Nigeria, owners of the powerlines, as every stone is being turned to rehabilitate the damaged power towers to restore power supply to the state.
Mrs. Koku-Obiyai also disclosed that the state will continue to work with relevant authorities, security agencies, community leaders and youth organizations to forestall a future occurrence of the willful damage of power infrastructure in the state.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited (BECL), Engr. Olice Kemenanabo said the Bayelsa State Government is committed to working with every stakeholder to ensure that power is restored in the state before long.
Engr. Kemenanabo expressed regret over the attitude of residents to government assets, insisting that the only way to ensure that citizens derive enduring benefit from the amenities in their communities is to own such assets and protect them since they are the primary beneficiaries of such infrastructure.
The Managing Director, who said that but for the vandalization of 13 additional towers between Okogbe and Mbiama, power would have been reinstated in four weeks, enjoined the security agents in the state to be laser focused in fishing out these unscrupulous elements and their accomplices that have grounded the social economic activities in the state .
He however assured the residents that with the activation of the emergency clauses by TCN for the rehabilitation of the towers, power would likely be restored within five weeks by his professional judgement.
