14/06/2024
-IN: Minister Proposes "Power Rangers" Team to Combat Economic Terrorism on Power Facilities.
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Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for the establishment of a specialized task force, dubbed the "Power Rangers," to safeguard the country's power infrastructure. This move comes in response to a surge in attacks on transmission towers, which the minister has condemned as "economic terrorism."
The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to perpetrators, urging them to cease their destructive actions or face severe consequences. The latest incidents occurred on Wednesday, when vandals destroyed two transmission towers along the 330-kilovolt single circuit transmission line. Previously, on December 28, 2023, three towers were damaged in Borno State using improvised explosive devices.
Speaking at the Passing Out Parade and launch of the second group of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals in Abuja, the minister emphasized the need for robust action to address the widespread destruction of power infrastructure. He stated, "It is your job to ensure that no critical asset of government is destroyed, and I believe NSCDC is up to the task."
The minister announced plans to sectorize the responsibility of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enhance their effectiveness in protecting the power sector. He expressed his expectation to see the "Power Rangers" team in place by his next visit, tasked with safeguarding distribution lines, generation companies, and the entire power sector.
The minister stressed that Nigeria's development and growth depend on a reliable power sector, and the government is committed to investing in its infrastructure. However, he lamented that billions of dollars spent on power infrastructure are being undermined by vandalism and economic terrorism.
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