Benue PHCN loses N400m to vandals

By Peter Duru
MAKURDI—Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Makurdi Business District, has lamented what it described as the wanton vandalism of its equipment by unknown persons, saying that over N400 million has so far been lost by the company in the last four years through vandalism.

The District Manager, Mr. John Emeruwa, who spoke in an interview with Vanguard regretted that PHCN facilities have become the target of vandals who were frustrating efforts to ensure steady power supply in the town.

Emeruwa noted that apart from the losses incurred from the damage of its facilities, the vandalism of power installations in the town also resulted in huge revenue losses for PHCN.

He said: “The spate of vandalism of PHCN facilities in Makurdi has become a source of deep concern to all of us. Only a few days ago, some young men besieged one of our major stations in town and set it on fire.”

”This is outside the almost daily vandalism of our armour cables at our various sub-stations which leave parts of the town in darkness.”

Emeruwa urged residents of the town to form vigilante groups in their various communities and streets to check the activities of those behind the acts, pointing out that even in the face of current scarce resources, it was costing PHCN a fortune to get replacements for vandalised substations.