KEDCO raises alarm over rising cases of cable theft, transformer vandalism
Suleman Aidris
The growing menace of cable theft and transformer vandalism have been identified as a major factor responsible for the constant power failure within the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) supply network.
This was revealed in a statement issued by Ibrahim Sani Shawai, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, KEDCO obtained by EnergyDay on Monday.
According to the statement the increasing cases of vandalism and energy theft in the coverage areas have limited the ability to serve the electricity consumers in the rea,
KEDCO revealed that the increase in the menace is causing serious economic loss and hindering efforts at guaranteeing constant supply to customers. The DisCo added that those vandalising its equipment are taking advantage of the rainy season to sneak into the transformers to vandalise cables, steal oil and other valuable items.
Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, KEDCO MD/CEO, in a statement appealed to the general public to help KEDCO by reporting attempts to vandalise or steal any of KEDCO’s equipment.
Dr Gwamna stated that the company was concerned about the menace in view of the danger such acts were exposing the general public and even the perpetrators too.
“We have strengthened our surveillance in that regard to ensure that anyone caught will be made to face the legal consequences of their actions.”
“The general public should also help KEDCO in community policing especially with regard to our transformers and other equipment,” Gwamna added.
KEDCO had in a similar report recently announced that a man was electrocuted while trying to vandalise KEDCO cables.
The victim, according to the DisCo, was unlucky when power was restored while he was trying to steal the cables and his gang members left the remains of their colleague behind.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Katsina State Command, also claimed that the Command arrested two suspects.
The NSCDC Katsina Command revealed that one person ,the first suspect, Mustapha Lawal, 35, was arrested for alleged theft and the other for vandalism of an electricity transformer.
