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BEDC Decries Rise In Vandalism, Wants Stern Punishment For Perpetrators

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The Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, Plc, Friday, decried rise in cases of alleged vandalism across its franchise zone.

The company, in a statement signed Mr. Tayo Adekunle, Head, Corporate Affairs, which was made available to INFO DAILY in Benin, described vandalism as not only being economic crime but an act of sabotage against the good purpose and intents of the
company.

He advocated laws be enforced to protect public property, especially
electricity infrastructure

According to Mr. Tayo, the power sector has been the most hit in the most devastating manner, adding that the effect of vandalism cannot be overemphasized.

READ ALSO: BEDC Installes 25% Meters Of Total Target In Its Coverage Areas

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He lamented that, as a result of activities of vandals, residential customers, industries, small and medium scale businesses are being starved of power.

“The recent surge in cases of vandalism within our franchise area
calls for greater attention. More worrisome is the fact that these
miscreants are continuously innovating new ideas beyond human
comprehension to perpetrate their criminal acts.

“We see the recent
vandalism of 14 spans of electricity conductors in Ilu-titun, Southern
Ondo State, on a line currently being rehabilitated by the Niger Delta
Power Holding Company (NDPHC) as very disturbing. More disturbing is the fact that Okitipupa town was recently thrown into blackout as a
result of the vandalism of 20 spans of electricity conductors which
occurred between Ode-Aye and Okitipupa.

“As a company, we see these as
acts of economic sabotage against the good intents of BEDC,” he
remarked.

READ ALSO: BEDC Introduces Service-Based Tariff

Mr. Tayo regretted that money
that could have been judiciously invested in network upgrade such as energisation of new transformers or construction of new lines to relief existing ones are being channelled towards replacing the
vandalised items.

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“We are, however, not relenting in our quest to overcome this societal
issue through improved community relations drive of involving all
stakeholders at the grassroots aside ensuring that our facilities are
well securedin our bid to arrest this ugly trend,” the statement added.

While noting that vandalism of electricity distribution network and other forms of
electrical thefts are serious threats to power sector sustainability
and economic growth, Mr. Tayo said it has been major acts negatively affecting
service delivery to customers.

Mr. Tayo who gave success of the company in its fight against the menace of vandalism on its network, noted that some perpetrators of the evil act have been sentenced to jail in its franchise areas.

“Efforts by BEDC at curbing the menace of vandalism on its network had
received a boost with the sentencing of one David James to three years imprisonment by a Benin Magistrate Court 6 in Egor Local Government
area of Edo state recently.

READ ALSO: BEDC Debunks Rumour, Says No Free Electricity Yet

“On 3rd July 2021, a 2.5MVA, 33/11KV Injection Substation at Igarra near Auchi, in Edo state was vandalized while RUM, upriser cables, incomer cables etc. were removed by the vandals.However, luck ran out of the vandals as they were arrested by the Police Division at Ogorimagogo in Kogi State and the stolen items were recovered. The arrested suspects were later transferred to SCID Lokoja, while efforts are being made by the Edo State Police Command to retrieve the arrested suspects and exhibits to Edo State where they will be charged to court at the end of Police investigation.

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He therefore appealed to members of the public to be vigilant and security conscious on the activities of some “unruly elements in
the society whose aim is to make life unbearable for them through
their nefarious acts.”

 

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Easter: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays

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The Federal Government has declared Friday, 29th March and Monday, 1st April 2024 as public holidays to mark the 2024 Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government urged Christians and all Nigerians in general to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako said the Minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.

READ ALSO: NAF Destroys Several Illegal Refining Sites, Berges In Rivers

“He calls on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they are capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.

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“He further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.

“This, he said, is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the Minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with President Tinubu led Administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all”, the statement added.

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PHOTOS: Tinubu, Governors Pay Last Respects At burial Of 17 Slain Soldiers

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The remains of 17 military personnel, comprising four officers, 13 soldiers, slain by some irate youths in Okuama community in Delta State during a peace mission on March 14, have arrived at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, for burial.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:30 p.m., were conveyed by the FCT Ambulance Emergency Services and other vehicles.

In attendance are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, are also present.

READ ALSO: Labour Party Reserves 2027 Presidential Ticket For Peter Obi

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Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Abba Yusuf (Kano) also attended the ceremony.

President Bola Tinubu joined the solemn assembly at exactly 04:10p.m.

Family members and relatives of the deceased personnel, as well as those of other military officers, are also on ground to honour the fallen heroes.

Meanwhile, at the time of this report, the burial ceremony for the 17 military personnel was already underway.

VANGUARD

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Abure Re-elected Labour Party National Chairman; NLC Kicks

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The embattled national chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Julius Abure has been re-elected for a second term by a unanimous affirmation of delegates despite the protests by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu declared him the winner during the party’s national convention that held in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Other serving officers of the party were also returned.

READ ALSO: Why Bobrisky Was Awarded Best Dressed Female – Nigerian Actress

Recall that the NLC had called for Abure’s resignation as party chairman and the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organize a legitimate and all-inclusive national convention for the party.

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Meanwhile, a factional chairman of the Labour Party in Anambra State, Mr Peter Okoye has boasted that the Nnewi national convention will not stand.

Describing the convention as a sham, Okoye said: “This is not a convention. We are on top of the matter. It’s purely illegal.

“There was no ward congress, no local government congress, no state congress, and now who and who are the elected the delegates that are electing the National Working Committee, NWC, members?

“The NLC was not there, TUC was not there, the owners of the party and members of the NEC and BOT members were not there too. So, who is holding the convention?”

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