The Jos Electricity Distribution (JED ) Plc says it is collaborating with the offices of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to curb vandalism of its facilities.

The managing director of JED, Abdu Mohammed, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of a three-day workshop organised for personnel of JED in Abuja.

In a statement on Friday by the company’s spokesperson, Friday Elijah, Mr Mohammed said the action became imperative to enable JED to discharge its services efficiently.

The MD expressed concern over the level of destruction by hoodlums, who were vandalising the company’s infrastructure, making it difficult to render effective and efficient services to its consumers and threatening its survival in a competitive economy.

The workshop was held in conjunction with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Taskforce on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO) of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja and the office of the IGP.

Mr Mohammed said JED had concluded arrangements to commence prosecution of facilities’ vandals through the AGF’s office.

He said the company’s partnership with the AGF and IGP offices would help in the speedy arrest and prosecution of offenders in line with the Electricity Act.

The MD said the Electricity Act introduces legal consequences for various illegal activities related to electricity theft, illegal metre tampering and bypassing, and intentional damage to electricity infrastructure.

“Electricity theft now attracts a sentence of six months to three years imprisonment, while theft of electricity lines and materials can result in imprisonment between three to five years.

“Receiving stolen electricity is a felony with a 14-year maximum sentence,” he said.

He, however, urged staff members of the company to perform their duties uprightly or face the wrath of the law.

Alli Baba, the deputy director of public prosecution at the AGF’s office, urged the management of JED not to shield erring staff from punishment.

(NAN)