Against the outcry by the Bonny Utility Company (BUC) that its facilities were being vandalized, a stakeholder, Justus Jim-Halliday has called for community led action against the menace.
In a post on his verified Facebook account titled “HELP BUC!”, Jim-Halliday said having voiced its concerns, it was time for community members to rally around the company tohelp it overcome the challenge of vandalization of its equipment by organizing community based security around BUC facilities.
“We have bashed them! We have complained about their poor services! We have disowned them! We have felt ashamed for them! But it’s time for us to HELP them. How do we help them?”
“We should start by being our cables keeper and ensuring we don’t destroy or support people who destroy our infrastructures.”
He called on different communities that make up Bonny LGA to muster overwatch of electricity facilities in their domains, stressing that it was time to align with the company to optimize it capacity to sustain power supply to residents and business on the island.
“If they say their cables are missing and it’s affecting our lights, we can help to keep guard for all suspicious activities regarding that. We can also help in controlling how people tap directly from poles.”
“They have apologized and carried out where e Dey pain them too. Let’s keep watch and encourage every community leader to ensure anyone seen, should be brought to book.”
Recall that the BUC had via a statement on its verified Facebook account on Monday, April 24, 2023 alerted the public and its customers to the vandalization of its facilities, expressing regrets that this menace was responsible for the power outages and load shedding experienced in different parts of the Island.
“Please be informed that the power situation in Bonny Island is being addressed by BUC. Once done, load shedding will be stopped.”
“However, we wish to inform the public that our facilities are being vandalized. Safety device (earth cables) are removed by vandals and this leads to frequent power trips whenever lightning strikes.”
The company informed that relevant authorities have been notified of the situation which has forced it to resort to load shedding to ensure equitable power distribution, appealing to residents reach its Community Relations Department with helpful information.
“Relevant authorities had been notified of this acts. Finally, customers are encouraged to freely walk into BUC Community Relations Department for further clarifications. All inconveniences are regretted.”
Since its inception, the Bonny Utility Company (BUC), a special purpose vehicle initiated via a partnership between the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) and Bonny Kingdom, has efficiently managed available resources at its behest to ensure electricity and water supply to Bonny Main Town, its adjoining communities, and the NLNG residential area, among others.
We need CCTV cameras installed around all BUC installations. We can afford it, the world has advance beyond urging people to abandon their means of livelihood to safeguarding collective wealth when all the security outfits and about 20 persons can be gainfully employed to simplify security activities in Bonny Kingdom and do so for all, with the help of technology