March 28, 2024

BEDC rewards Delta community group over vandals’ arrest

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Solomon Ezeme

Members of an anti-cult group in Illah community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have been commended by the Management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), for assisting the DisCo (Electricity Distribution Company) in apprehending vandals who vandalized some of the transformers in the community.

The BEDC gave a life insurance policy to members of the group for their assistance in the arrest of the vandals, the DISCO noted that the rising cases of vandalism across its franchise areas are an act of sabotage against the good purpose and intents of the company, beside being an economic crime.

Mr. Simple Ugherakpoteni, who spoke on behalf of MD/CEO of BEDC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, commended Illah Community for its vigilance over the network.

He explained that power infrastructure vandalism and other forms of electricity thefts are serious threats to power sector sustainability and economic growth.

He stated that increasing vandalism will force the Management to spend money meant to improve electricity infrastructure to repairing or replacing damaged or missing equipment.

“The fight against electricity vandals is a collective responsibility that can only be sustained through collective effort and increased partnership,” he said.

The Head, Community Relations while appreciating the effort of the Illah Community, presented a life insurance policy for 5 members of the anti-cult group and cartons of energy-saving bulbs meant to help them pay less for power usage as he encouraged other communities to emulate them and help protect BEDC’s assets in their various localities.

The Ogbelani of Illah, HRM, Obi Sylvester Jugai, thanked the Management of BEDC for the reward while reiterating the community’s commitment in ensuring that electricity facilities and equipment are well secured and protected.

BEDC also reported cases of high-tension cable conductor vandalism at Esaba, Otutuaima, Oghangbla and Iuhre-Ogun communities in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. The suspects; Messrs. John Moses, Bako Michel, and Azikewe Festus in these communities were said to have vandalized 65 poles of high tension cable conductors in June this year.

They were reportedly charged to Ogwuashi-Uku Magistrate Court on and remanded at Ogwuashi-Uku Correctional Center Ogwuashi-Uku.

Present at appreciation ceremony organized to honour the members of the anti-cult group who caught the vandals and handed them over to the police for the prosecution at the Ogbeleani Palace are BEDC Management team led by the Head, Community Relations, Mr. Simple Ugherakpoteni and members of the Asaba business unit technical team while the community was represented by His Royal Majesty, Obi Sylvester Jugai, the Ogbelani of Illah, Chairman Illah Electricity Committee, Ogbuenyi (Chief) George Ofuokwu, the Odogwu of Illah, Secretary to Ogbelani and Illah Electricity Committee, Eddy Ojidoh , members of the anti-cult group and community youth leaders.

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