Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed dismay over the vandalism of Abuja transmission lines.
OsunDailyNG reported that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced on Friday that vandals have again attacked, stolen, and damaged the electricity lines supplying power to various parts of Abuja.
The development comes less than one month after vandals attacked, stole and damaged TCN’s 330 kilovolts (kV) Shiroro-Katampe transmission line.
Speaking at the inauguration of a 100MVA power transformer at the 132/33 kV transmission substation in Isolo, Lagos, on Friday, Adelabu wondered why people always frustrate the government’s effort to stabilise energy transmission in the country.
Adelabu described the act as a significant setback to the nation’s energy sector, stressing that the vandalism has thrown the Central Area in Abuja, Maitama, including his own office in Garki Area, into darkness.
The minister called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and local communities, to collaborate in ensuring the sustainability and security of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
He said, “It can be depressing when we have just completed a transformer installation and few weeks after, they are brought down by vandals.
“This shows that we don’t love ourselves, this does not happen in many other parts of the world.
“A lot of places are in darkness because of these acts of vandalism.
“For four months, Bayelsa state was in darkness because of local vandalism.
“This act has thrown the Central Area in Abuja, Maitama which includes my own office in Garki Area into darkness.
“Why do we hate this our country so much for us to engage in this kind of negative activity which does nothing but draw the country backwards?
“As we are struggling to stabilise energy power transmission in the country, some people are hiding somewhere to frustrate this effort and draw the country backwards.”
Adelabu commended TCN for its commitment and diligence in completing the new transformer project, noting that it would bolster small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reduce operational challenges, and foster economic growth beyond improving electricity supply.
He added, “This is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda which recognises that energy is not merely a commodity; it is the backbone of economic growth and job creation.”
