Expert Urges Federal Government to Prioritize Security for Power Infrastructure
Dr. Olukayode Akinrolabu, a power sector expert, has called on the Federal Government to enhance security measures for Nigeria’s power infrastructure to combat the rising incidence of vandalism. Akinrolabu, who serves as the Chairman of the Customer Consultative Forum for Festac/Satellite Town in Lagos State, highlighted this concern in an interview on Sunday in Lagos.
The issue of vandalism was underscored by the recent attack on a 132KV transmission line and underground cable transmitting bulk power to the 132KV Central Area transmission substation in Katampe, Abuja, on January 17. Akinrolabu described vandalism as a serious threat to national stability, capable of disrupting power supply and harming economic activities.
He called for the deployment of federal security resources to safeguard power transmission towers and advocated the establishment of security buffers around installations. He proposed restricted access within 400 meters of power facilities to prevent unauthorized individuals from approaching and suggested host communities be legally obligated to work with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to ensure the safety of these assets.
Akinrolabu also recommended financial penalties for communities that fail to protect power infrastructure, arguing they should be held liable for damages caused by vandalism. Additionally, he urged authorities to monitor electrical stores for stolen equipment, with severe penalties for those found selling such items.
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While commending the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for its role in regulating distribution companies (Discos), Akinrolabu pointed out persisting issues, such as estimated billing and inadequate meter distribution, which undermine consumer trust. He stressed that policies like the ban on estimated billing would remain ineffective without proper implementation and sufficient meter availability for consumers.
To address this, he urged the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to gather data from Discos on unmetered customers and provide funding for metering initiatives like CAPMI or the National Mass Metering Programme (NNMMP). Akinrolabu emphasized that tackling these challenges would help reduce power theft and ensure a more reliable electricity supply nationwide.
