Vandalism: JED installs solar light on transformers, seeks Gombe residents’ support
Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) has begun distributing solar-powered motion sensor light for installation on its transformers in some communities in Gombe metropolis.
The company also distributed torch lights to vigilantes aimed at fighting vandals, who profit from stealing electricity installations.
While donating the items to some community leaders in Gombe metropolis on Thursday, Mr Musa Abdullahi, the Head, Corporate Services, JED Office, Gombe State, said the aim was to secure the company’s installations.
Abdullahi said the move became imperative towards enhancing service delivery to its customers across the state, starting with customers on band A.
He said that with the damage that vandals were causing the company, the lights were to prevent criminals who specialise in vandalising transformer equipment from taking advantage of the dark.
According to him, an average of five transformers were vandalised daily across JED franchise states, comprising Bauchi, Gombe, Benue, and Plateau.
He appealed for support from the community leaders in protecting JED facilities and installations, adding that with such support, JED’s over 2, 000 distribution transformers would be better secured.
“If you see anyone making an attempt to enter transformers in your area, ask them questions, and demand for their identities; it is your right to do so.
“If you suspect any attempt to vandalise any transformers, report to security agencies in your communities,” he said.
Abdullahi said that as part of efforts to ensure that transformers were quickly fixed in case they developed faults, copper wires were added to the list of items donated to the communities.
On his part, Mr Rilwan Shehu, JED’s Gombe State Operation Officer, appealed to the communities to assist JED in serving them effectively through the protection of its facilities.
Shehu also pleaded with community leaders to encourage payment of electricity bills so as to motivate the company to improve on its service delivery to electricity users in the state.
Some of the community leaders who spoke to journalists appreciated JED’s efforts at securing transformers in their communities, adding that the move was “unprecedented and commendable.”
Malam Saidu Abubakar, a community leader in Jekadafari, said the donated items were a moral booster to them towards protecting transformers in their domain.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that communities visited by JED officials for the donation of the items include Herwagana, Gabukka, Federal Low-cost, Tumfure and GRA.
