The Bayelsa State Government has strongly condemned the recent vandalism of electricity towers in the Igbogene area of Yenagoa, describing it as a deliberate attack on the social and economic wellbeing of the state’s residents. Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, emphasized this during an interview following an on-the-spot assessment of ongoing efforts to restore the damaged towers.
The vandalism, which occurred on July 29, resulted in the collapse of two transmission towers along the Ahoada/Yenagoa 132kV line, plunging Bayelsa into darkness. Koku-Obiyai urged residents to remain vigilant and work together to protect vital infrastructure from future attacks, stressing that the incident appears to be a calculated attempt to destabilize the state.
She commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for their swift response to the government’s call for repairs, expressing hope that power would be restored soon. Koku-Obiyai also cautioned against politicizing the situation, warning that such actions could embolden the vandals.
The Managing Director of Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited (BECL), Mr. Olice Kemenanabo, echoed the government’s commitment to restoring power and urged residents to take ownership of public assets to prevent further damage. He assured that, barring further incidents, power could be restored within five weeks.
The government continues to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety and reliability of power infrastructure in the state.
