NEWS
Abia Govt Decries Vandalisation of Power Assets, Seeks Community Action
Abia Govt Decries Vandalisation of Power Assets, Seeks Community Action
The Abia State Government has expressed concern over the increasing vandalisation of power assets and other government projects across the state.
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The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
The Commissioner says that such “unwholesome act” disrupt the flow of electricity and impose additional financial burdens on government in terms of cost of replacement of stolen or vandalised power assets.
He challenged communities, traditional rulers, town unions and security agencies to devise effective strategies to curb the menace.
The Commissioner urged stakeholders to take ownership of government projects in their communities and protect them from vandals.
“President-Generals of our town unions, our traditional rulers, and security agencies are advised to devise new strategies to curb this growing menace in our communities.
“All relevant stakeholders are advised to take ownership of government projects in their communities, particularly those that relate to power”, the commissioner said.
The commissioner also announced ongoing efforts by the state government to improve electricity supply in communities across the state with power restoration projects ongoing in Ohafia, Abam and Isuikwuato.
According to him, the second phase of the Abam project would cover four communities, while work in Ohafia has reached an advanced stage and was nearing completion.
Prince Kanu said the power restoration project in Nsulu and parts of Ukwa East Local Government Area would commence within a fortnight and described the projects as long-awaited interventions.
The commissioner added that the state government was deploying renewable energy to primary healthcare centres across the state, stressing that the new standard was for every functionalised PHC to be accompanied by renewable energy.
He further disclosed that construction had commenced on a new 15MVA injection substation at Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company noting that the project is expected to improve electricity supply in the state capital when completed.
On flooding in some communities, Prince Kanu said, that the state government had before the onset of the rainy season, started addressing the issues leading to flooding across the state.
“There have been serious efforts on the part of both ASEPA and the Ministry of Environment to clear most of the drains in the state.
“They did all this even before the rain set in. Naturally, you know, with the rains somehow, floods will happen.
“So, the state government is working very hard to ensure that these things, their occurrences are brought down to the barest minimum”, he said.
Prince Kanu disclosed that the state government through the commissioner for environment has visited affected communities and commiserated with the victims of flooding.
In his contribution, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, disclosed that the four communities benefiting from the second phase of the electricity restoration project in Abam are Atani, Ndi Oji, Ndi Mmemme and Ndi Orie.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma said the State Government has taken a comprehensive approach to addressing the impact of climate change and flooding across the state.
Mr. Ekeoma noted that the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) and the Ministry of Works were implementing interventions within their respective areas of responsibility, while the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) had also developed comprehensive plans to tackle flooding and related challenges in Aba.
On relief materials for victims of disasters, Mr Ekeoma said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was responsible for coordinating such assistance, assuring that “we will also find out what they are doing to ensure that victims are provided with the necessary support they deserve and desire at this point in time”.