With the rising case of vandalism of electricity assets by bandits, The House of Representatives has urged the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo to provide security for transmission lines in the country.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent importance on the need for the federal government to provide adequate security for transmission towers in Rivers and Bayelsa States as well as the country in general.
The resolution of the House was in response to a motion sponsored by Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, representing Yenogoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma constituency.
The House mandated the Committees on Interior and Power to work with the Ministry of Interior to ensure compliance.
The motion read: “The House noted that on July 29, 2024, residents of Yenagoa and Bayelsa State, in general, woke up to a total blackout occasioned by the collapse of a Transmission Station between Emezhi and Mbaima in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State and three others between Igbogene and Nedugo Agbia in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
“It also noted that the Bayelsa State Government in collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, swiftly swung into action to address these challenges that have culminated in the dwindling of socio-economic activities in the state.
“The House was saddened that on the 19th of November, 2024, just as the work was nearing completion, at Ula-Akpata, in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, some hoodlums went and vandalized a section of the lines.
“It was disturbed that by this development, the woes of the residents of Bayelsa State still subsist for one or two days because as we speak the people of the State are in total blackout, this has been the situation for over 4 months.”
Oforji, while speaking on the motion said the constant attack on transmission lines should not be taken for granted.
“As a representative of my people this brings to mind the provisions of Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) which talks about our economic and social rights as citizens, which I believe should not be taken for granted by the government,” Oforji is quoted to have said.
The continous vandalism of transmission cables, and lack of maintenance has thrown some parts of the country into darkness. The North recently recovered from a 10 day blackout due to destruction of electricity infrastructure. It is important that security be beefed up for these structures.
