Treat Electricity Vandals As Economic Saboteurs, Says Commissioners of Power Forum
By Judex OKORO
THE States Commissioners of Power and Energy Forum in Nigeria (FOCPEN) has decried the increasing energy theft and other forms of theft in the sector, calling on federal government to threat those involved in energy vanalisation as economic saboteurs.
The Commissioners, who made the call during a two-day meeting in Lagos, also called on the federal government to systematically end electricity subsidy in the country, pointing out that there might be circumstances and categories of customers within States that may require some form of subsidy from the government which should be determined on a state-by-state basis.
In the communique signed by Hon. Eka Wiliams and Barr. Omale Omale, chairman and Secretary respectively, the Forum also resolved that the 36 States of the federation and the FCT should ensure passage of their electricity laws by May 29th, 2025.
It resolved that States should prioritize the development of electricity generation and transmission infrastructure within their territories, to complement the national grid.
It further called on the Governor’s Forum (NGF) to develop terms of engagement between States and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to foster greater collaboration and effective implementation of REA programmes and projects in States.
The Forum also recommended that States should develop their rural electrification and clean energy policies and laws to improve energy access and affordability for rural, unserved and underserved communities.
The Commissioners said that they are committed to the development and implementation of an effective sub-national policies and regulations to promote sustainable energy development and attract private sector investment in the energy sector at sub-national levels.
Speaking on the frequent collapse of the national grid, forum noted that it is a serious issue that required urgent national attention, saying, “the rising cases of energy theft and other forms of theft in the sector should be viewed as acts of economic sabotage.
"We condemn rising cases of energy theft (meter tampering and bypass, transformer oil theft, wire and cable theft, unauthorized wire connections, etc.) and vandalism (wire and cable cutting, pole, tower and transformer destruction) of electricity infrastructure across the country and recommends that these actions should be viewed as acts of economic sabotage," it stated.
