Ukan Kurugh writes on how the rate at which transformers in Gboko are being vandalized and thus throwing many residents of the town into darkness is alarming.
My investigation found that many parts of the town are without electricity due to either vandalized transformers or transformers that have broken down. For instance the area from First Bank down to Ahmadu Bello way on Captain Dawns Road, Adekaa has been without power supply for several months due to a broken transformer.
I also found out that about a month ago the transformer situated by the side of JED(Jos Electricity Distribution) Plc business office beside St. John’s Primary School, Gboko was vandalized and armored cable carted away. This has resulted in no public power supply to the High Court premises, Nigeria Correctional Services, BIRS area office, St. John’s Hospital, Dunamis church, and environs. More worrying is the fact that this particular transformer is situated just beside the JED office. One would have thought that this transformer would be more secure and therefore challenging to vandalize.
My investigation further revealed that on Tuesday 11 October 2022, a transformer near Mountain View Hotel, GRA, Gboko along the way to Senator Akume’s residence in Gboko, was also vandalized and armored cable carted away. This has left residents enjoying power supply through that transformer without public power supply.
When interviewed, some of the affected customers/residents expressed serious displeasure over the many months of darkness, and reoccurring vandalization of transformers and insinuated that vandalization can only be done by JED staff or in collaboration with JED staff. According to the pained customers, this is because only JED staff are in a position to know when a particular area or transformer will not be powered and therefore can go to vandalize a transformer without fear of electrocution.
Efforts to get the management of the JED Gboko regional office to comment on the above failed or proved abortive.
I, therefore, appeal to JED to expedite efforts to fix broken and vandalized transformers to restore power supply to the affected customers as soon as possible.
I also implore JED to collaborate or engage with youth groups and community leaders to find ways of securing transformers and other electrical installations. This would be a win-win for both customers and JED as they need each other. Without a public power supply, some businesses can’t function properly, thus leading to financial hardship for business owners. Without a public power supply, there would be no bills to be paid by customers, therefore, leading to a loss of revenue or income for JED.
