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From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The Managing Director, Jos Electricity Distribution Plc, Engr Abdu Bello Mohammed, has called on the people of Benue state to be vigilant and protect electricity installations in the state, particularly the 33kV towers.
Bello made the call last weekend while reacting to the growing incidence of tower vandalism in the state.
Represented by the Head, Corporate Communications, Dr Friday Adakole Elijah, Bello who spoke at Ade/Bende during a sensitisation of communities, disclosed that no fewer than 37 towers were vandalised by hoodlums.
He explained that if he had not moved the technical crew of the company to the site urgently, the situation would led to calamity of grievous consequences.
According to the Managing Director, if the towers had been left to tumble, “apart from losing lives and property, most of Makurdi down to Gbajimba in Gwer West LGA would have been without electricity supply “.
He therefore advised the people to take ownership of of electricity installations in their environment by questioning and reporting suspicious movements around them.
According to him, “These assets belong to Jos Electricity Distribution Company but it is your own because you are the beneficiary of its services”.
“If the facilities are allowed to be vandalised, it is certainly going to affect you in all ramifications. The economic activities of the areas affected will be put in comatose and the social life will be in a state of quandary and security will be compromised.
“We, therefore, need to be on the watch to prevent any form of vandalism”, he pleaded.
Earlier, the Regional Manager, of Makurdi Region, Mr Joseph Kwaghgba, thanked the people especially the Chiefs for promptly honouring the invitation and urged them to cascade the message to all and sundry.
He assured the people that his doors are open to them 24/7 and if they have useful information, they should not hesitate to contact him or any member of his team.
Speaking, the traditional ruler of the Ade/Bende Community, Chief Tarveshima Zaki, who spoke on behalf of the others thanked the management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc for coming down to sensitise them on the dangers associated with the tower vandalism.
He threatened to invoke traditional curses on those who carried out the ignoble activities.
