Adebayo Adelabu, the Nigerian Minister for Power, expressed his frustration at the persistent power outages plaguing the nation, attributing the crisis to deliberate acts of sabotage perpetrated by certain criminals.
In a press briefing, Adelabu said the findings of investigations revealed a pattern of deliberate sabotage aimed at destabilizing the power distribution causing erratic electricity supply.
“We have encountered an unprecedented occurrence, unseen elsewhere in the world, where our critical power infrastructure has been intentionally damaged,” he lamented.
“Since assuming office, we’ve witnessed no less than eight deliberate acts of destruction targeting our transmission power lines. These incidents of sabotage persist, with transmission lines being repeatedly vandalized, as witnessed just yesterday in Nasarawa.”
Adelabu emphasized the urgent need for collaboration between security agencies, stakeholders in the power sector, and the public to identify and apprehend perpetrators, thus restoring efficiency to the power distribution network.
“We refuse to be intimidated or deterred. We are resolved to confront these challenges head-on. Investigations are underway, and we have engaged the National Security Adviser to bolster security around critical power infrastructure.”
He lamented that certain elements are actively working against the success of the sector. “We cannot allow our hard work to be undone by the destructive actions of a few. Any major damage to power infrastructure inevitably leads to grid collapse. We must collectively combat this sabotage,” he stressed.
The Minister warned that without heightened government surveillance, the vandals would persist in impeding the sector’s efficient operation, thereby hampering the nation’s socio-economic progress.
According to Adelabu, the cost of building a 330KV substation ranges from US$30 million to US$50 million, yet these vital installations are at risk of destruction by malicious actors.
He revealed plans to engage Chinese companies for equipment procurement, prioritizing affordability without compromising quality.
The Minister, therefore, called for concerted action, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the Nigeria’s power infrastructure for the collective benefit of all citizens.
