The Bayelsa State Government is taking full responsibility for the ongoing repairs of vandalized power towers that caused a prolonged power outage in Yenagoa, the state capital. This was disclosed by Hon. Wisdom Ikuli, the Technical Adviser on Print Media (Public Affairs) to Governor Douye Diri, during a media inspection of the repair sites on Tuesday.
Ikuli revealed that although 16 of the 19 damaged towers are situated in neighboring Rivers State, Bayelsa has taken on the financial burden of the rehabilitation due to the significant impact on its residents.
"Governor Diri's administration is determined to restore power swiftly, even though this is a federal responsibility," Ikuli stated. "If left to the federal authorities, it could take years. However, the governor has allocated resources and ensured timely payment to contractors to fast-track the process."
He lamented the difficulties faced in rehabilitating the infrastructure and called on the federal government to take stronger measures against vandalism to prevent further damage during restoration efforts.
Ikuli also urged the public to safeguard essential infrastructure, including transformers, schools, and hospitals, emphasizing that protecting these assets is a collective responsibility. He noted that the state government is exploring advanced technology to secure public infrastructure and avert future incidents.
Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, Managing Director of the Bayelsa State Electricity Company Limited, condemned the destruction of the power towers and appealed for public unity in protecting critical facilities.
Kemenanabo criticized those politicizing the blackout and opposing the state government’s efforts. He dismissed planned protests over the power outage as misplaced, pointing out that responsibility for the repairs rests with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
"Protests should be directed at the TCN headquarters in Abuja or Port Harcourt, not the state government," Kemenanabo said.
He called for cooperation between Bayelsa and Rivers State governments to enhance security around the power towers, emphasizing that the geographical spread of the towers requires a joint effort to reduce vandalism.
Kemenanabo also urged the federal government to prioritize the protection of power infrastructure in the South-South region, pointing out the establishment of an anti-vandalism task force in the North as evidence of unequal treatment.
"The federal government must urgently address this issue by deploying security forces to safeguard these national assets," he added, noting the lack of visible federal commitment to resolving the crisis in the South-South.
Despite the challenges, Kemenanabo assured residents that power restoration efforts are ongoing. He explained that the General Manager of TCN in Port Harcourt is better placed to provide specific timelines but expressed confidence that electricity wo
uld be restored soon.
