A power sector summit has ended in Port Harcourt with stakeholders canvassing for strident measures to address the issues of vandalisation of power infrastructure in Rivers State.
The summit which was held under the theme, “Protecting Power Infrastructure for Sustainable Power Supply” was organised by the House of Assembly Committee on Power in collaboration with key stakeholders in the power sector.
Speaking at the summit which held at the Rivers State House of Assembly auditorion in Port Harcourt at the weekend, the member representing Bonny Constituency in the Assembly, Hon Abinye Pepple said the summit was organised to create a platform for stakeholders in the power sector to brainstorm on measures of addressing the challenges in the power sector especially the incessant cases at vandalisation of power infrastructure in the state.
Pepple who is also the chairman House Committee on Power said power was critical to the economic development of the state, adding that the 8th Assembly was committed towards effective power sector reform.
He said the Assembly would collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure that issues affecting the power sector are properly addressed.
The lawmaker said the state legislature was determined to come up with a robust and comprehensive bill to check the cases of misinfrastructure vandalisation as well as promote sustainable power supply in Rivers State.
In his remark, the Rivers State Commissioner for Power, Hon Shadrack Chukwu said the Rivers State Government was committed to building adequate power infrastructure to boost economic growth and industrial development in the state.
He said the government has constructed 132 KV transmission line as well as 28 injection substations for transmission haulage in Port Harcourt and its environs.
The commissioner who described the summit as apt, said the Rivers State Government would not only build power infrastructure but ensure that power facilities were protected from sabotage.
He called on those involved in power infrastructure vandalisation to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.
Some stakeholders who attended the summit commended the Rivers State House commended Assembly for the initiative and pledged to contribute their quota to the development of the power sector in Rivers State.
Taneh Beemene
