Criminals Vandalise PHCN Transformers In Owerri

No fewer than four transformers, belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Owerri, have been vandalised in the past three monthly by unknown persons, the company’s Spokesman, Mr Ositadinma Ugwuafor, has Said.

Ugwuafor disclosed this  in an interview with newsmen       in Owerri on Wednesday, saying that the development had thrown four communities in the area into darkness.

The affected communities, according to him, include Oji, Uratta, Atta and Works Layout.

He explained that the Mission Sub-stations at Oji as well as those at Ugwu-Oji and Works Layout were vandalised between November and December last year while that of Uratta took place this month.

He regretted that the incident occurred, in spite of the fact that the mission sub-station was located close to the operational base of a local vigilance outfit at Oji, while that of Ugwu-Oji was situated inside a filling station.

Ugwuafor explained that the vandalised transformer components, which were carted away by the hoodlums, comprised cables and other accessories, estimated at several millions of naira.

He said that residents of Ugwu-Oji contributed money to fix their transformer, adding that the company was still making efforts to fix the other transformers.

The PHCN officer said that the company was collaborating with security operatives and local vigilance groups in the area to check the problem, calling for concerted efforts among communities in the fight against vandalism ofPHCN facilities.

. “It is unfortunate that most communities do not appreciate the need to join PHCN in this fight against vandalism, some of them insist that the task of securing PHCN installations is entirely that of the company.

“This is in spite of the fact that whenever the installations are vandalised, the communities are thrown into darkness,” he said.

Ugwufor, who denied that PHCN personnel were accomplices in the crime, charged members of the public to be vigilant and to arrest any PHCN officer caught engaging in the act.

He said that the company was poised. At the “renewed” scourge from all perspectives, including the use of the mass media to sensitise the people on the dangers of vandalism.

Some residents of the affected areas, however, insisted that some “unscrupulous” members of staff of the PHCN were involved in the criminal act.

An electrician at Oji, who spoke on condition of anonymity, urged PHCN to “purge itself of bad eggs,” saying that some of them were caught red-handed in the past and handed over to the police but were later released.