Bayelsa in darkness after protesters vandalise power towers

Bayelsa State has been thrown into darkness as hoodlums, suspected to be protesters against economic hardship, have vandalised two 132kV transmission towers in Igbogene community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, transmission towers that transmit electricity to the state from Owerri in Imo State through Ahoada in Rivers State.

Reacting to the issue, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, condemned the actions of the misguided perpetrators, saying that the vandals reportedly tampered with two transmission towers, T98 and T99, on July 29 in the Igbogene community, plunging the entire state into darkness.

The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, however, assured that the state government is already working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to restore power as quickly as possible.

The managing director of Bayelsa State Electricity Company Limited, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, who confirmed that the TCN officials were handling the situation, appealed for patience.

Kemenanabo, however, urged people in the state to be vigilant in order to curb the activities of vandals causing untold hardship to electricity consumers.

He also advised the public to report any suspicious activity around the towers to the security agencies, just as he warned vandals to steer clear of the facility in order not to worsen the situation.

The BECL MD stated that the latest incident had made it imperative for the TCN to take urgent steps to establish a work centre in Bayelsa, which he said is a call the state has been making since 2021.

According to him, this will enable ease of intervention and quick response when such a situation occurs.

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