Determined to stem the tide of vandalisation of electricity transmission cables passing through their areas, the Rivers and Bayelsa State governments have agreed to jointly tackle the problem.
A statement signed by the Head of Press in the office of the Rivers State deputy governor, Mr. Owupele Benebo indicated that the decision for a collaboration was reached at a meeting between the deputy governors of the two states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, southern Nigeria.
According to him, the Rivers State deputy governor, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu expressed delight that the two states would proffer lasting solutions to mitigate the vandalization of the electricity towers and transmission lines.
Professor Odu commended the Bayelsa State deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for the initiative, which she acknowledged would enhance protection of critical electrical infrastructure passing through the two states for the benefits of Nigerians within the region.
“When I received your call and mentioned the reason for calling, I realized that a partnership to protect our critical infrastructure would be beneficial to our States as well as others within this region. I informed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who approved that the meeting should be held,” she revealed.
A Necessary Collaboration
In an earlier remark, the Bayelsa State deputy governor, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, said the visit became necessary due to the incessant vandalization of transmission lines located along the boundaries of Rivers and Bayelsa States, specifically, Ahoada East and West Local Government Areas.
Ewhrudjakpo stressed that there was need for the two states to collaborate and end the attacks on the power transmission lines, which not only serve Bayelsa and Rivers including others within the south-south zone.
The Bayelsa State deputy governor revealed that within the past four months, the transmission lines between Bayelsa and Ahoada in Rivers State were vandalized more than three times, noting “The activities of these vandals led Governor Doye Diri to set up an Anti-Vandalism Taskforce in Bayelsa State to checkmate theft of the powerlines.”
Senator Ewhrudjakpo expressed appreciation the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for taking accepting the proposal for the two states to work towards eradication of electricity transmission lines vandalisation and playing the big brother role.
Community Involvement
Meanwhile, during an interaction with journalists in Port Harcourt shortly after the closed-door meeting between the two deputy governors, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ebiuwou Koku – Obiyai, said that the two states have agreed to establish a joint vigilante team.
Koko – Obiyai said the constitution of the vigilante group would be citizens drawn from the communities where there are transmission towers, stressing “community involvement is key to finding a lasting solution to the problem.”
Similarly, the Rivers State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Charles Beke said that the Rivers State Government was prepared to implement resolutions reached between the two states.
PIAK
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