The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu,has implored the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to direct security operatives to stop attacking staff of power distribution companies in the country.
He expressed this against the latest intimidation, assault, brutalisation of the staff and destruction of the facilities at the substation of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) in Badagry, Lagos State by personnel of the Nigerian Army.
Mr Adelabu, in a statement by Bolaji Tunji, his special adviser on strategic communication and media relations,condemned the act saying it’s not only unacceptable but also a direct threat to the stability of Nigeria’s power supply and the economic well-being of the country.
According to him, there are ways such issues could be handled without resorting to violence especially in a democratic setting.
He said that electricity infrastructure is the backbone of the Nigerian economy and a critical enabler of development.
“Attacks on these facilities and staff on duty undermine the efforts of the federal government to ensure stable and reliable power supply to homes, businesses, and public institutions.
“The repeated targeting of power infrastructure and the personnel of distribution companies by uniformed personnel, who are expected to protect national assets, are deeply troubling and raises serious concerns about discipline and accountability within our armed forces,” Mr Adelabu was quoted as saying.
He lamented that the Nigerian Army was emboldened to attack EKEDC facilities and staff because of the silence of the federal government on the earlier invasion of Ikeja Electric by the Air Force.
