The Chairman of Ikole Local Government Area, Bayo Omojola, has called on residents to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect electricity transformers in their communities from vandals.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ikole-Ekiti, Omojola emphasized that communities currently enjoying stable electricity are those whose transformers remain intact and operational.
He warned that vandalism could plunge entire neighbourhoods into prolonged darkness, as seen in other areas where residents had to rely on government intervention to restore power.
“We have witnessed cases where transformers were vandalized, leaving communities without electricity for months until the government intervened.
“To prevent such situations, I urge traditional rulers, chiefs, and youths to implement security measures to safeguard these installations,” he said.
Omojola stressed that protecting transformers should not be left solely to the government or the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). Instead, residents must take ownership of their security to prevent unnecessary power disruptions.
He highlighted that replacing a transformer and its components could cost no less than ₦8 million, making it crucial to prevent any damage.
He also urged members of Landlords’ Associations to actively participate in safeguarding transformers in their areas.
Furthermore, he advised that anyone caught attempting to vandalize a transformer should be immediately arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.