By joshua Ossiomo Power Company Raises Alarm Over Vandalization Of Electricity Equipment
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
The management of Ossiomo Power Company located in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, has raised an alarm over the alleged wanton vandalization and stealing of its electricity equipment worth several millions of naira.
The management of Ossiomo Power Company in a statement in Benin City, disclosed that several youths on Wednesday afternoon perpetrated the criminal acts.
The youth illegally trespassed into the private premises of Ossiomo Power Company and committed the criminal acts of vandalization and stealing of equipment from its 33kv electricity lines.
According to the statement, the electricity equipment either vandalized or stolen included expensive high tension wires, cables and conductors worth several millions of naira.
According to the mobile Policemen on guard duty at the power plant the youths allegedly claimed that they were acting on the behest of some highly placed individuals, like Prince Johnson Aseleghe and Felix Okotie Otemowo including the Chinese firm CCETC,
Ossiomo Power Company further disclosed that CCETC, Chief Emmanuel Iyase, Prince Johnson Aseleghe and Felix Okotie Otemowo, had earlier been restraint by the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Edo State High Court, Benin City from entering the premises of the Ossiomo Power Company.
“The criminal behaviours of the aforementioned are clear breaches of the orders of both the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Edo State High Court, Benin City”, the statement said.
The management said, It’s on record that the duo of Messrs Felix Okotie Otemowo and Prince Johnson Aseleghe, have on several occasions been invited by the police to answer for a number of criminal charges but they have refused to honour the police invitations”, the statement added.
Ossiomo Power Company, therefore called on the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and all those mentioned by Felix Okotie Otemowo, as to have hands in the destruction, vandalization and stealing of the company’s property and equipment, to clearly declare their positions.
“Ossiomo Power Company should be left alone to reconnect its 33kV lines to enable it resume the supply of electricity to millions of people in Edo State”, the power company posited.
When contacted, chief Johnson Aseleghe and Felix Okotie Otemowo in their separate responses denied being involved in the alleged vandalization, adding that Ossiomo Power Company and the Chinese firm CCETC, have been embroid in a running battle urging them to look inward into their own organisation as they ought to have security on ground.