Minister of Power Vows to End Vandalism of TCN

By Iyabo Adebisi

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has declared war against vandals working against improvement in the power supply and vandalising power facilities.

He said his ministry has the support of President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to deal with vandals and saboteurs in the Power sector. 

The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said this in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during his inspection of the 46-year-old Ayede sub-regional station in Ibadan as part of his working visit.

The Minister who decried the level of vandalisation of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) by nefarious saboteurs across the country, said the present administration would deal decisively with saboteurs who are making money from the menace.

He urged the staff of the Ayede to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its renewed hope agenda and expose anyone found working against the efforts of the government in the power sector.

The Minister said: “We must live up to expectations. We will not relent until we achieve improvement in power supply. We are working with everyone to protect national assets. We are working with the NSA for adequate protection of power facilities. We can see the saboteurs at work.

“Some people are not happy that we are improving supply, but we cannot be intimidated. They will meet us there. We have the support of the President and the National Security Adviser to deal with saboteurs who are poised to vandalise the nation’s installations, destroying power distribution activities. 

“They are not happy about our efforts at repositioning the sector and delivering ourselves from their clutches because that is where they are making money. But we shall not relent. Let no one intimidate you. The rate of destruction going on in the northern part of the country is alarming. These installations being destroyed cost the Federal Government billions of naira to put in place. This is a fight we must fight jointly”.

The Minister also charged the staff of the sub-station to be committed and dedicated, saying their efforts would be rewarded. 

Adelabu said: “Whatever we can do to improve your people’s welfare to improve on your job, I will do. We are going to implement whatever good suggestions you bring to our attention. Good performance will be rewarded, but more reward means more work”.

The Minister later paid courtesy call on Governor Seyi Makinde to seek areas of collaboration with the government to improve the Power supply in the state. 

Responding, Governor Makinde lauded all the plans and initiatives put in place by the Federal Government and assured the minister of his administration’s support to actualise all the plans. 

Places visited by the minister include the headquarters of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, and 132 KVA sub-station, Oluewu, Oyo

The minister is expected to Commission a Power plant in Ogbomosho. 

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