The Bayelsa State Government has condemned the recent destruction of electricity transmission towers in the state, describing it as a severe attack on the social and economic well-being of its residents.
The incident, which left the state in darkness, has been labeled a significant act of sabotage against the government’s efforts to attract investment and improve infrastructure.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, voiced the government’s concerns during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa.
Following an on-the-spot assessment of the damaged power towers in the Igbogene area, Koku-Obiyai highlighted the dire consequences of the vandalism.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed that two transmission towers, T98 and T99, along the Ahoada/Yenagoa 132kV line, were deliberately vandalized on July 29 in the Igbooghene community.
This act led to the collapse of the towers, cutting off power to the state’s residents, the TCN’s Yenagoa sub-station, and the Gbarain Power Station.
“This is not just an attack on power infrastructure; it’s an attack on our people’s daily lives and our collective future,” Koku-Obiyai stated.
She urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with the government and security agencies in safeguarding essential public infrastructure.
The Commissioner praised the TCN’s swift response to the crisis, noting that repair works had commenced on the collapsed towers and 13 other towers affected between Okugbe and Mbiama in Rivers State.
However, she warned political actors against exploiting the situation for blame games, stressing that such behavior could embolden the vandals.
Koku-Obiyai also called on the people of Bayelsa to show patience and understanding as efforts to restore power intensify.
She assured residents that the state government, in collaboration with the TCN and other stakeholders, is committed to preventing future attacks and ensuring the timely rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure.
In a related development, Mr. Olice Kemenanabo, Managing Director of Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited (BECL), expressed disappointment over the residents’ lack of vigilance towards government assets.
He emphasized that the long-term benefits of infrastructure depend on the collective responsibility of citizens to protect and preserve such investments.
Kemenanabo noted that the vandalism of additional towers had delayed power restoration, which could have been achieved within four weeks.
However, with the activation of emergency measures by the TCN, power is now expected to be restored within five weeks.
He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the culprits behind the sabotage and their collaborators.
The Bayelsa government reiterated its commitment to working closely with all relevant parties to ensure the state’s power infrastructure is secured and that such incidents do not recur.