Ikeja Electric and Epe community leaders have forged an alliance to combat vandalism and enhance power supply.
The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Okotie, disclosed this in a statement made available to Naijaonpoint.
Ikeja Electric held a key stakeholder engagement forum with community leaders, the National Youth Council, security agencies, the Epe LGA, Ikosi-Ejirin and Eredo LCDAs.
The meeting which took place at the Epe Local Government Secretariat had in attendance top management from Ikeja Electric and also local stakeholders.
The meeting centred around devising a robust strategy against vandalism and also addressed the consequences of the destructive act, some of which include frequent power outages, damage to equipment, disruption of socio-economic activities, health and safety risks.
Speaking at the event, the Ikorodu Business Manager, Emmanuel Iberuche, highlighted the toll of vandalism on the company’s operations.
“On the Agbowa line, we have lost 4,700 meters of aluminum conductor, and 9 cases of Distribution Transformer vandalism, costing us nothing less than ₦50 million. This is money that could have been used to improve infrastructure and enhance service delivery.
“We want to work with you to foster a sense of ownership; these assets belong to all of us, therefore we must protect them together for a reliable power supply. A small act of vigilance can prevent a major outage and save your community from days of darkness.” he stated.
Paul Airoboman, the representative of the Chief Security Officer, shared alarming statistics on vandalism in Epe.
“Of the 47 vandalism cases Ikeja Electric has experienced this year, Ikorodu Business Unit accounts for 15; 6 of which occurred in Epe. This is a serious concern. We urge community leaders to collaborate with us by engaging vigilante groups, organizing awareness sessions, and reporting security concerns with credible evidence.
“We are committed to working with our communities to create a fortified front against these criminal elements. With your cooperation, we can ensure that our installations remain safe, and our customers enjoy a stable power supply,” he said.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area, Hon. (Princess) Surah Olayemi Animashaun, expressed her unwavering support for the initiative.
“The economic growth of Epe is directly tied to a consistent power supply. We will not tolerate criminal acts that undermine our progress. My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies and community leaders to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The Chairman, Epe LG Community Development Committee (CDC), Bashorun Abayomi appreciated Ikeja Electric’s proactive approach.
“Our community leaders are ready to partner with Ikeja Electric to end this menace. We have agreed to establish a community-based surveillance network to report vandals and will also embark on a massive public awareness campaign to educate our people on the importance of protecting electrical infrastructure.”
Speaking on behalf of Ikeja Electric’s spokesperson, the Community and Media Relations Lead, Olufadeke Omo-Omorodion, elaborated on the severe punishment for vandalism.
“To be very clear, the law is not lenient on vandals. The Electricity Act, as amended, provides for stiff penalties. Depending on the gravity of the offense, a vandal can face a prison term of up to 10 years, or even life imprisonment if their actions endanger lives or cause significant disruption to public order. There is no option of a fine.”
Omo-Omorodion urged residents to take an active role in the solution.
She said: “We are working closely with security agencies to ensure that anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law. To stay on the good side of the law, we encourage every resident to be a part of the solution. Report any suspicious activity around electrical installations to our safety emergency and whistleblowing hotlines. Your vigilance is our greatest asset in this fight.
“In addition, we will also focus on increasing sensitization to close communication gaps. More importantly, we aim to improve our understanding with community members to build a more trusting, collaborative relationship where residents see us as a partner, not just a service provider.”
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