By Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and opinion leaders in Kaduna State have warned residents against attacking Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) workers over power outages in their communities.
The opinion leaders and management of the company have also debunked insinuations that blackouts in parts of the country were politically-motivated; hence, the situation should not be used to unleash violence and mayhem.
KAEDCO visited CAN and other opinion leaders in the state to help in calming the residents over poor electricity supply being experienced in parts of the North, insisting that it is as a result of drop in supply from the national grid, and not for political reasons.
Chairman of Kaduna CAN, Rev. John Hayab, called on religious, political and community leaders to stop spreading unfounded stories capable of over-heating the polity or instigating violence.
He made the appeal in Kaduna, at the weekend, when officials of KAECO visited him at the CAN Secretariat to brief him on the power supply situation in the country, especially in Kaduna and environs.
Hayab urged leaders of thought to always verify the authenticity of information that come to their attention before making pronouncement on them to avoid misleading or misinforming their subjects.
The leader of the Christian body commended the visit by KAEDCO officials, saying the council was better informed on the power challenges in the state.
He assured the visitors that all platforms at the disposal of CAN would be used to educate their congregation on the power supply challenges in the country. “Nigerians should avoid anything that will set the country on the path of self-destruction.”
Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of KAEDCO, Mr. Ocholi Ausa, who led the team, had explained that the power rationing (load shedding) being experienced in parts of Kaduna metropolis was as a result of the sharp drop in power generation nationwide.
According to him, the power allocation to the company has been reduced by almost half.
“The situation became more difficult to manage since the beginning of January because of the under-frequency relays installed by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in select heavy load circuits to avert collapse of the national grid,” he said.
“The situation became more difficult to manage since the beginning of January because of the under-frequency relays installed by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in select heavy load circuits to avert collapse of the national grid,” he said.
Ocholi assured the CAN boss that the management of Kaduna Electric was engaging relevant stakeholders to improve the situation. He, therefore, appealed for more understanding from the general public and warned against attack on the personnel or installations of the company, a development, he said, would only worsen the situation.
In their separate contributions, Archbishop Joe Yari and Rev Ma’aji Caleb advised the electricity company to engage community and youth leaders more for better understanding and awareness.
Head, Corporate Communication of KAEDCO, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said: “Kaduna Electric is dismayed by increasing assault on its staff on legitimate duties. Situations, where irate members of the public resort to violence against our staff, are unacceptable.
“Kaduna Electric shall work with security agencies to arrest and prosecute any individual or group that perpetrate such condemnable act against our staff. No effort shall be spared in pursuing justice for any of our staff whose rights are violated while at work.” Abdullahi further stressed that the company reserves the right to withdraw its services from such high-risk areas.
Source: The Guardian