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…As Kemenanabo, Diri’s Aide Berate FG Over Neglect, Insecurity
Vandals have again hit the reconnection works of Bayelsa state to the national grid months after 19 towers of the Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN), linking the state from Ahoada-West Local Government Area of Rivers State and parts of Yenagoa, the state capital were vandalized.
The General Manager, Bayelsa State Electricity Company (BEC), Engr. Olice Kemenanabo and the Technical Adviser to the State Governor on Print Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli stated this on Tuesday while fielding questions from newsmen during an inspection tour spearheaded by the latter on the pace of work on the affected sections of the transmission lines.
They said the Federal Government has totally abandoned the State Government on the ongoing reconnection works, promising that power will soon be restored to the state following the fast pace of work on the lines.
The duo noted that the state Governor have not spared any effort on his quest to reconnect the state to the national grid even though 16 of the 19 vandalized towers were in neighbouring Rivers State.
They said: “The Federal Government have totally abandoned Bayelsa State and its people on the repair and reconnection works of the vandalized TCN transmission lines and cables to the state.
“For months now the state have been in total blackout due to vandalism of 19 towers of the transmission company of Nigeria (TCN), linking the state from neighbouring Rivers State”.
“We think there’s conspiracy against Bayelsa State on the side of the Federal Government. Up until this moment the Federal Government has not shown any concern in terms of restoring power to the state. All the expenses, running into huge sums of money are all being footed by the Bayelsa state Government.
“As we speak, just as the reconnection works are ongoing vandals have again started vandalizing the sections we’ve successfully repaired. We charge the Federal Government to deploy all of its security apparatuses to protect and secure property and lives”.
Engr. Kemenanabo and the Governor’s aide added that: “We want the whole world to hear this. when states in the Northern part of this country were cut-off from the national grid due to vandalism, they gave the Federal Government an ultimatum and before the expiration of that ultimatum those states were all relinked to the national grid. Why is Bayelsa’s different? Are we not part of this country?
