The Bayelsa government says the destruction of the electricity towers is an “attack on the social and economic well-being of the residents of the state and a sabotage on government’s investment drive.”

Information commissioner Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai said this in an interview on Sunday in Yenagoa, shortly after an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing works to re-erect two out of the three collapsed power towers at the Igbogene area of Yenagoa.

Bayelsa was thrown into darkness following the collapse of two transmission towers attacked by vandals. 

The Transmission Company of Nigeria stated on Thursday that the two transmission towers, T98 and T99, along the Ahoada/Yenagoa 132kV line, were vandalised on July 29 in the Igbooghene community of Bayelsa.

The TCN said the incident caused the collapse of both towers, cutting off the power supply to the state, including TCN’s Yenagoa Sub-station and the Gbarain Power Station.

Ms Koku-Obiyai advised residents to be vigilant and join forces to maintain surveillance on power installations. She noted that the recent extensive attack on powerlines supplying electricity to the state suggests a calculated attempt at making life difficult for Bayelsa residents.

She urged the people to join the government in condemning the unfortunate criminal attacks on power towers in Bayelsa. 

Ms Koku-Obiyai, however, commended the TCN for responding quickly to the Bayelsa government’s calls to restore the collapsed towers. She expressed optimism that power will be restored with the quick commencement of repair works in Bayelsa and  13 other collapsed towers between Okugbe and Mbiama in Rivers soon.

The commissioner urged political gladiators to desist from turning the disaster into a blame-game as their attitude can strengthen the vandals’ hands.

She explained that the vandals are likely to find support in their political approach to the serious issues of development.

“We urge the people of Bayelsa to be patient with the federal government-controlled Transmission Company of Nigeria. TCN are the owners and operators of the powerline. Every effort is being made to rehabilitate the damaged power towers to restore supply to the state,” Ms Koku-Obiyai said.

Ms Koku-Obiyai noted that the state will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to forestall future willful damage to power infrastructure in Bayelsa. 

The managing director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited (BECL), Olice Kemenanabo, said the government is committed to working with every stakeholder to ensure the restoration of power as soon as possible.

Mr Kemenanabo expressed regrets over the residents’ attitude toward government assets. He insisted that the only way to ensure citizens derive enduring benefits from their communities’ amenities is to own and protect such assets.

 He explained that since the residents are the primary beneficiaries of such infrastructure, it is only imperative and reasonable that they keep an eye on the installations.

The managing director said power would be restored in four weeks if there had been vandalism of 13 additional towers between Okogbe and Mbiama.

He called on the state’s security agents to focus on fishing out the unscrupulous elements and their accomplices that shut down the economic activities in Bayelsa. 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. 

(NAN)