By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets says it is initiating stiffer penalties for vandals of power infrastructure as part of measures to curb increasing vandalism undermining investments in the sector.
The Committee disclosed this during an inspection of the 132KV New Haven – Ninth Mile – Nsukka double circuit transmission line in Enugu State and the Egbu 330/132/33KV substation in Owerri, Imo State.
During the oversight visit, the lawmakers observed proliferation of buildings along designated transmission routes in violation of Right of Way, ROW, regulations, thereby delaying completion of power projects.
The Committee called for collaboration between federal and state governments to protect public assets and ensure timely delivery of power projects.
According to the Committee, the Owerri substation, which is about 85 per cent complete, is expected to add 250 megawatts to electricity supply in Imo State upon completion.
