Vandalism still going on in Eket on vital facilities of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) which has caused a major blackout in the Afaha Aqua supply feeder.
Although the current inciting conflicts between the electricity distribution companies and aggrieved consumers across the country, we all long for a 24/7 power supply.
A narration has it that a group of vandals was found in the dark trying to cut off an armored cable that supplies the entire community when the feeder was opened. One of the operators who discovered some movement of unidentified men (since it was dark) interrupted them as he pointed a torchlight afar off, from the operator's room while scaring them away. That's how the safety of the facilities was secured from being vandalized.
He later discovered that the armored cable was almost cut off to the detriment of the community who had black outright from Sunday 2nd May 2021 until today, 6th May 2021. And the feeder manager has ensured that all hands are on deck to replace the damaged cable to restore supply.
Vandalism is a crime that has a major consequence on our quality of life, and costs of repairs or replacement are always on the high side. Peradventure, it's easy to ignore it as a minor offense, but it has a big impact on our communities.
The resultant effect being paying excessively for darkness as they experience power outages for an average of 20 hours daily, while the estimated billing continues to increase astronomically, unabated.
The menace of vandalization has been militating the Nigerian power industry for decades, thereby posing one of the greatest dangers to the very expected efficiency level of NEPA as a public enterprise.
On several occasions, It has led to frequent power outages resulting in enormous economic losses for all sectors of the economy.
If you notice that Council property has been vandalized, you should report it to www.phed.com.ng or call 08114648572 Otherwise, If you see someone vandalizing property, you should contact your local police or your local community policing team.
Vandalism can affect people's quality of life including the following:
1. Insecurity: Makes people's lives less safe than they are.
2. Life endangered – people have died when acts of vandalism got out of control.
3.Costs you money – you pay for vandalism repair through higher taxes and insurance payments.
