By Bisola Adeyemo
Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has called for the demolition of all illegal houses and shops built under the right of way (RoW) of power lines in the country.
BEDC safety manager, Mr. Gilbert Nweke, gave the advice in Benin City, Edo State, while presenting a paper on, ‘Violation of Right of Way of Power Lines and Vandalism of Power Infrastructure’ at the celebration of World Environment Day organised by Independent Radio and Television (ITV), in partnership with frontline energy and environmental consultancy services (FEECS).
He affirmed the company’s readiness to partner with the four state governments under its franchise, namely: Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Ondo, while appealing to them to ensure that all relevant laws in respect of the RoW of power lines are activated by their law enforcement agents to tackle the menace.
“In line with NEMSA directive, customers that violate the right of way of power lines can be disconnected while distribution companies should not extend electricity supply to prospective customers whose buildings/structures/businesses violate the right of way of power lines,” Nweke said.
According to him, issuing letters of notifications of violation of RoW of power lines to identified defaulters and following up with the disconnection of supply would serve as a deterrent to others.
He added that deployment of social media platforms, use of print and electronic media to create widespread public safety awareness against trading or building illegal structures under power lines could also help.
He advised that vandals of cables and other electrical accessories arrested by the police should be paraded on television and other means of communication to also serve as a deterrent to others.
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