Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) has lauded the youths of Idung Udofa Community in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State for their vigilance in apprehending two electricity vandals who vandalized armoured cables from the company’s substation in Eket.
According to a statement signed by the PHED Head of Corporate Communications, Mr John Anonyai, the two suspects whose plot was foiled by the youths, according to the Disco, are currently being held at the Eket Divisional Police Station awaiting prosecution.
It was disclosed that a third suspect managed to escape, adding that the police is on the trail to bring him to justice.
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of PHED, Mr Henry Ajagbawa, condemned the unlawful action of the vandals and assured that those who vandalise public facilities will always be dealt with according to the law.
Mr Ajagbawa expressed displeasure at the habitual culture of vandalism in its franchise area, despite public sensitization and customer engagement by the company for the public to understand the destructive consequences of vandalism on the company, customers and the general public.
While commending the youths for acting in accordance with the basic understanding of protecting public utilities, he reiterated his position on instituting legal proceedings against any person vandalizing PHED’s critical assets, regardless of their status in society.
“There are many electricity vandals in various cells on the roll-call to be prosecuted by the courts using the extant laws as enshrined in the ESPRA Act (2005), Miscellaneous Offences Act and the Nigerian Criminal Code.
“Infractions has no place under my watch and each case will be pursued to a logical conclusion using every legal means at our disposable,” the PHED was quoted in the statement.
Meanwhile, the Port Harcourt Disco says it has observed that customers are in the habit of interfering with high tension lines either by cutting trees, trading or erecting structures very close to electricity lines.
PHEDC then used the opportunity to warn residents against such risky actions, as they could lead to electrocution at the slightest interference.
Mr Anonyai advised members of the public to desist from any form of activity around high tension power lines to avoid electrocution.
