Members of the 10th House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to provide adequate security for power infrastructure across the country in order to stem the spate of vandalisation.
The lawmakers who expressed the concerns during the debate on a motion of Urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Oboku Oforji, harped on the need for the Federal Government to urgently provide adequate security for Transmission Towers in Rivers, Bayelsa and other parts of the country without further delay.
In his lead debate, Hon. Oforji expressed displeasure over the collapse of power infrastructure across various parts of the country.
According to him, “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.
“The House also noted that the Bayelsa State Government in collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, swiftly swung into action to address these challenges that has culminated in dwindling socio-economic activities in the state.
“The House is 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 vandalised a section of the lines.
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“The House is 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 four months.
“The House is cognizant that the efforts of the Bayelsa State Government in mobilizing financial and material resources to support the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is highly commended.
“However, proactive measures must be taken to forestall future occurrences of vandalism of these Transmission Towers. 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.”
To this end, the House urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Interior, to urgently provide adequate security for these Transmission Towers across the country to avoid future occurrences of vandalism.
The House also mandated the Committees on Interior and Power to ensure compliance.
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