PHED decries vising of transformer vandalism

The Chief Executive Officer, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, (PHED), Jay McCoskey, has decried the spate of transformer vandalism in recent times by unknown persons in the South South region.

The alarm by the firm is coming on the heels of 37 transformers that were vandalized at different locations under the coverage of the company.According to him, Garden City Industrial, Integrated Business Centre, IBC, Trans Amadi lost 14 transformers to the dastardly acts of the vandals.

The substations affected by these ugly incidents under the mentioned IBC included; Apamini, Woji, Ochari, Eleme, Amadi Odum, Woji Betico, Elelenwo among others.At Paradise City Main IBC, Calabar, he said, the vandals went away with armoured cables of different sizes in eight substations that affected technology substation, calabar, mbukpa, maifa and akaiba in all calabar south.

He disclosed in a statement signed by the company’s spokesman, John Onyi, that luck ran out on one of the vandals at the Lemma Community in Calabar, as he was arrested and handed over to police through the help of their monarch.

He added that nine transformers were also vandalized at the Garden City new, Rumuodomaya, Okemini Borrow Pit and Rukpakulusi sub-stations were also tampered with by the vandals.Moreso, he noted that Paradise City North, Ikom, six transformers were affected leaving their customers in unnecessary darkness.

“We have noted with dismay the activities of these vandals who are in habit of vandalizing its installations between the hours of 12midnight to 5.00am.
“The vandals carry out these unwholesome acts by removing armoured cables, draining of transformer oil even when in circuit.

“Management , therefore, appeals to members of the public especially the neighborhood vigilante group to step up vigilance around their transformers in order to stop the vandals from tampering with the PHED installations by accosting or reporting to the law enforcement agency any suspicious movement around the transformer”, McCoskey said.

He added that seven suspected vandals are already facing trial in Port Harcourt, Eket, Calabar and Ikot Ekpene adding that the company will intensify action with the Nigerian Police in ensuring that those who are caught would be made to face the wrath of law.