200 transformers vandalised in Anambra – EEDC

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has revealed that no fewer than 200 transformers were vandalised by hoodlums between January and November in Anambra state. The electricity firm said 50 of the transformers were vandalised in Nnewi, 30 in Awka, while over 100 and 6 were vandalized in Onitsha and Ekwulobia districts respectively within the […]

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has revealed that no fewer than 200 transformers were vandalised by hoodlums between January and November in Anambra state.

The electricity firm said 50 of the transformers were vandalised in Nnewi, 30 in Awka, while over 100 and 6 were vandalized in Onitsha and Ekwulobia districts respectively within the period.

Addressing a group of protesters, who stormed the EEDC office in Awka yesterday, the Network Manager, Samuel Onuoha, emphasised that the company had zero tolerance for vandalism of its installations.

He appealed to the protesters to show understanding, noting that the company was collaborating with security agencies and community leaders to minimize vandalism of its installations.

“There are different levels of vandalisms; some go for oil and different types of cables, some remove the feeder pillar units, among others.

“The vandalism escalated in the “ember” months; we cannot continue to run business like that,” Onuoha stated, adding that six cases of vandalism were currently at different levels of prosecution in the state.

Onuoha however revealed that the company had commenced replacement of vandalised facilities across the South-East geo-political zone, urging residents and community leaders to protect their transformers.

“What we do in EEDC is also a business that involves buying and selling; so anything affecting our inability to distribute electricity is also affecting our income,” he stressed.

Assuring the protesters that the company will fix their vandalised transformer by Wednesday, Onuoha urged residents to report cases of vandalism to the office or the nearest police station.

Earlier, residents of Odeagba and Arthur Eze Street business owners disrupted business activities at EEDC office for two hours to demonstrate power outage for 14 months.

Chairman, Arthur Eze Business Association, Amaechi Okeke, who led the protest, said since October 2016 when the Arthur Eze one sub-station/transformer was vandalized, the area had been without power supply.

“Two officials of the electricity company operating in a black Golf were arrested for allegedly vandalising the transformer in the area and handed over to the police.

“I was surprised that the police later released the suspects on grounds that they were not criminals.

“Despite several appeals to EEDC, we have been left in darkness for long and this has affected us tremendously since then,” he said.