The vandalization of the Koton-Karfe Power grid by suspected vandals has thrown many communities into darkness in Kogi State.
The member representing Kogi Koton-Karfe in the State House of Assembly, Idrees Maikudi Aliyu disclosed this in a motion of urgent public importance during the hallow chamber plenary on Tuesday in Lokoja.
He noted that the activities of the vandals have continued to cause pain and hardship for the people of his constituency.
“The last three days have been extremely painful experiences for the people of my Constituency. High tension cables by which electrical power is distributed to Edeha, Koton-Karfe down to Gegu and all through my Constituency, the entirety of Kogi Koton-Karfe Local Government Area and a part of the Federal Capital Territory were wilfully damaged and cables lines of 3-phase power supply covering about 60 metres were carted away.
The action of is by unknown vandals thereby throwing the entire constituency into darkness, an experience we never again had in view.
” We are concerned that the grave consequence of this wilful and dastardly act does not only end at the negative impact of darkness upon the lives of my constituents but at the detrimental effects on their socio-economic activities.
“This concern has further heightened towards security breaches. The Murtala Muhammed Bridge is 1.76 km long and 20m wide with military checkpoints at both the Jamata and Edeha ends of the bridge. It is of security concern that such vandalization act of cutting, packing and carting away with the high-tension cables by the criminals could be accomplished without being noticed” he stated.
He appealed to the Kogi State Government to intervene in rescuing the entire Local Government from darkness by effecting necessary repairs to restore power supply.
Aliyu equally called on the Transition Chairman of Kogi Koton-Karfe Local Government Area to mobilize local security to ensure continued protection of national assets.
Supporting the motion, the members representing Yagba East State Constituency, Emmanuel Obaro and Ajaokuta Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin both called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“We have to probe this alleged vandalization of 60 metres cables by these unknown vandals. It is not possible that 60 60-meter armoured cables will pass through two military checkpoints and no officer on duty could apprehend the criminals.
“The security officers that are on duty when the light trip off should be court-martialed. They all have questions to answer. While we are suspecting compromise by officers on duty, AEDC needs to question their staff too”.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Aliyu Umar Yusuf decried foul play in the incident. “If we can’t get solutions to those that get themselves involved in this criminal act, it means the security checkpoint in that area is not fit to be there.
” It has come to our knowledge that the officers mounting a checkpoint in that area have agents who are not military officers but are collecting money for them. The house is really worried about this incident. The Clerk should write to the appropriate authority for a thorough investigation of the incident, “he added.
Kogi Assembly decries Koton-Karfe power grid vandalisation, calls for action
