03 September 2013, Lagos – Nigeria is losing over 35% of her power generation capacity to the activities of vandals, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has said.
The Minister made this revelation while speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day Stakeholders Forum on the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Monday.
“The Power sector is hit in the most devastating manner. Currently, we have lost over 35% of our capacity to generate power certainly because of vandalism”, he said, maintaining that the act of vandalism is synonymous to a war, pointing out that action must be taken to tackle the menace.
“I have always consider this condition of vandalism and terrorism on critical national assets and infrastructure as a moral equivalent of war. It is as if vandals are declaring war against Nigeria.
“As the economy bleeds as a result of this vandalism of our critical assets and infrastructure, all of us are bleeding.”
Prof. Nebo stressed that as Gas and oil pipelines are being vandalised, most power stations are not getting enough supply to generate electricity.
The Power Minster said the snowballing effect of vandalism can not be overemphasised as industries, small and medium scale business are being starved of power as a result of the activities of vandals.
“Because of this, Nigerians are leaving to other countries to establish industries because of the inadequate power supply.”
While expressing optimism that stakeholders at the forum will chat a plan that will nip the menace in the bud, Prof. Nebo stressed the importance of synergy between stakeholders.
The two-day programme is organised by the office of the National Security Adviser.
– Joshau Odeyemi and Ronald Mutum, Daily Trust
