In a significant stride towards curbing vandalism, the Upper Sharia Court in Toro, Bauchi State, has convicted a vandal, identified as Julabib Muhammad, for destroying a transformer belonging to Jos Electricity Distribution.
Our correspondent reports that Muhammad has been sentenced to two years in custodial centre.
Describing the ruling as ‘an answered prayer to the menace of incessant vandalism’ that has plagued the JED network in recent times, the company’s acting Managing Director/CEO, Mammanlafia Umar, expressed hope that the conviction would serve as a deterrent to others.
This was contained in a press statement sent our correspondent on Monday by Company’s acting Head of Corporate Communications, Saratu Dauda-Aliyu.
The statement partly read, “The company’s productivity is severely hampered when funds that should be directed toward network expansion and strategic upgrades are frequently diverted to rehabilitate vandalized infrastructure.”
The statement further called on all stakeholders, particularly host communities, to actively support the protection of JED Plc’s transformers and other electrical assets within their environments, commending Toro Community in Bauchi State for their vigilance, which helped thwart a recent attempted act of vandalism, during which already vandalised items were recovered.
“As partners in progress, we urge all our host communities to join our ongoing efforts by also taking ownership and safeguarding the installations around them. We will not relent in our efforts to reduce cases of vandalism to the barest minimum. All apprehended vandals will be prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
Dauda-Aliyu assured residents that JED Plc remains committed to safeguarding its infrastructure and ensuring a stable, reliable power supply across its franchise states.
