The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has urged electricity consumers in its franchise area to be vigilant and ensure that power installations are protected against vandalism during the Yuletide.
The Head of Communications, EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, made the appeal in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday in Enugu.
Ezeh regretted the rate at which power facilities were being vandalised across EEDC’s network. He stated that the menace had always been high during Yuletide, adding that “this is already being experienced now.
“No day passes without a case of vandalism recorded in three or more districts of the company,’’ he stated.
According to Eze, in recent times, millions of naira have been committed to replacing vandalised installations and materials, a regular practice which has eaten deep into the company’s revenue.
“The effect of vandalism has untold consequences on electricity consumers, who depend on electricity to carry out their businesses,” he said.
He regretted that energy consumers were usually made to suffer blackout and inconveniences “before the vandalised facilities are replaced and supply restored.”
He said that the company would not relent in its efforts to reduce the cases of vandalism through its strategic partnership with security agencies and vigilance groups.
“This collaboration is, however, yielding positive result,” he stated, adding that investigations had sometimes led to the recovery of stolen items at the residence of alleged vandals.
“These vandals are not spirits and do not operate in the air. They are human beings, our relatives, friends, neighbours and so on, who operate in the same environment.
“We encourage you to say something once you see something. Report any suspicious movement around these power installations.
“Join hands with EEDC to stop these vandals before they stop us all,” Ezeh stated.
The EEDC spokesman also appealed to consumers, who were indebted to the company, to endeavor to pay their bills so they could enjoy improved supply during the Yuletide.
“When customers pay their bills, we will be more efficient in our service delivery and that will translate to customer-satisfaction as well,’’ Eze added.
