The vandalization of the Koton-Karfe Power grid by suspected vandals has plunged many communities into darkness in Kogi State.
The member representing Kogi Konton-Karfe in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Idrees Maikudi Aliyu, disclosed this in a motion of urgent public importance during the plenary session on Tuesday in Lokoja.
He noted that the activities of the vandals have continued to cause pain and hardship to the people of his constituency.
“The last three days have been extremely painful for the people of my Constituency. High-tension cables through which electrical power is distributed to Edeha, Koton-Karfe, down to Gegu, and all through my Constituency, as well as the entirety of Kogi Koton-Karfe Local Government Area and a part of the Federal Capital Territory, were willfully damaged and cables lines of 3-phase power supply covering about 60 meters were carted away. The actions of these unknown vandals have thereby plunged the entire constituency into darkness, an experience we have not had before.
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“We are concerned that the grave consequences of this willful and dastardly act do not only end at the negative impact of darkness upon the lives of my constituents but also have detrimental effects on their socio-economic activities.
“This concern is further heightened by the security breach. The Murtala Muhammed Bridge is 1.76 km long and 20m wide with military checkpoints at both the Jamata and Edeha ends of the bridge. It is of security concern that such a vandalization act of cutting, packing, and carting away the high-tension cables by the criminals could be accomplished without being noticed,” he stated.
He appealed to the Kogi State Government to intervene in rescuing the entire Local Government from darkness by effecting necessary repairs to restore power supply.
Hon. Aliyu equally called on the Transition Chairman of Kogi Koton-Karfe Local Government Area to mobilize local security to ensure the continued protection of national assets.
Supporting the motion, the members representing Yagba East State Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Obaro, and Ajaokuta Hon. Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin both called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“We have to probe this alleged vandalization of 60 meters of cables by these unknown vandals. It is not possible that a 60-meter armoured cable could pass through two military checkpoints without any officer on duty apprehending the criminals.
“The security officers on duty when the lights tripped off should be court-martialed. They all have questions to answer. While we suspect compromise by officers on duty, AEDC needs to question their staff too.”
In his ruling, the Speaker of the house Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf decried foul play in the incident. “If we can’t find solutions to those involved in this criminal act, it means the security checkpoints in that area are not fit to be there.
“It has come to our knowledge that the officers mounting checkpoints in that area have agents who are not military officers but are collecting money for them. The house is deeply concerned by this incident. The Clerk should write to the appropriate authority for a thorough investigation into the incident,” he added.