Association recommends 15 yrs imprisonment for vandals of PHCN equipment

The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) on Friday urged the Federal Government to impose 15 years imprisonment on vandals of PHCN equipment.
Mr Bede Opara, the President General of the association, made the suggestion in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
Opara said that such measure would serve as deterrent to those still perpetrating the criminal act.
He said that government had invested a lot of money on power reform, but the activities of vandals were crippling the efforts.
“Some people are benefiting by throwing the country into darkness, by stealing PHCN cables and wires and by destroying the transformers.
“But when they are caught and taken to the police station, you will discover that they have been set free within a short time; it is very disgusting.
“Those buying PHCN cables and wire from the vandals should be given the same punishment.
“The National Assembly should enact a law that will make the offence punishable with at least 15 years imprisonment,’’ he said.
Opara said that vandals were economic saboteurs whose activities were negatively affecting the lives of many Nigerians.
He said that stealing of cables and wires was causing the country billions of naira to replace, adding that the law must take its course by imprisoning the perpetrators.
Opara said that the association had mobilised its members to report anybody caught vandalising PHCN installations to the nearest police station in the country.