… As PHCN Petitions Police, SSS

The management of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has officially solicited  the assistance of the Rivers State Police Command and the State Security Service (SSS) in the company’s effort to combat increasing rate of vandalisation of its facilities.

In a letter of 16 July, 2010, with reference: 321/61/Admin.4/231/2010 titled, “Request for Assistacne in Combating the Menace of Distribution Sub-station Armoured Cables Vandalisation”, PHCN said while it sustains the sensitization of the public on the issue, it has become imperative to seek the assistance and support of the two bodies for more effective security of its facilities.

The letter, which was signed by Engineer Uzoma Mbuko, Business Manager, Diobu Business Unit, and addressed to the state police commissioner and the director, State Security Service said:“We have been compelled to put across this request to your office because of the alarming rate at which distribution sub-stations are being vandalized”.

Explaining the seriousness of the issue, the company said between April and June, 2010, alone, it recorded thirteen of such ugly incidents, and noted that the worst hit was D/Line Service Centre which had six numbers of vandalized substations within period under review.

The company expressed worry over the negative impact this development was having on the effort of the power company, and urged the two security outfits to come to the aid of the company to curb the trend.

It further remarked that the suspected period of theft is between 11.00 p.m. and 5.00 a.m, and appealed that more surveillance be mounted within this period to check the nocturnal and unpatriotic activities of the vandals.

In its renewed effort to protect its facilities, it would be recalled that the company recently announced plans to also involve  community leaders and youths in monitoring its facilities sited in their various domains.

Power cables theft and vandalisation of facilities of PHCN across the nation have become the new challenges confronting the company in recent times.

Chris Oluoh