No fewer than five communities in Gombe metropolis on Thursday got solar sensor lights, torchlights, fuses from Jos Electricity Distribution Company to mitigate vandalisation of distribution transformers.
The communities include Hassan Central Primary School, Herwagana; Liberty junction around Jekadafari, Tumfure market by Resort, Gabukka, Pantami feeder and Federal Low-Cost II.
Speaking Head of Corporate Services JEDC Musa Abdullahi, said it was the company’s initiative at mitigating further attacks on installations.
According to him, JEDC sends millions on maintenance of vandalised equipment, adding that the distribution of those items would further strengthen uninterrupted power supply in the areas.
“We are here to donate items to these communities to their community heads for the vigilant groups to protect installations in each of their areas. At the moment this will reduce the rate of vandalism on installations on Band A feeders,” he added.
He called on communities to take ownership, saying “We call on each of the communities to pay attention to activities; ask anyone entering the transformer question especially when the distribution transformers are not faulty. We must be vigilant towards ensuring that the distribution transformers are protected.
While lamenting the challenges of vandalisation to business Abdullahi said the copper and transformer oil are sold by the vandals at the detriment of the communities, “they sell to people who use the copper wire for jewelries and they use the transformer oil alongside diesel to power locomotive machines. It usually cost the company millions to replace,” he added.
Chairman of Hassan Central Primary community Usman Malala, lauded JEDC for the donation saying “it will go a long way in ensuring that we have uninterrupted power supply in the community.”
On his part, Dennis Danladi, community leader of Tumfure market distribution area commended the company for working assiduously towards mitigating further theft.
Danladi added, “We will ensure the vigilant members get the torchlights to ensure that no harm is done to the distribution transformers.”
