The House of Representatives has begun moves to introduce stiffer penalties for vandalism of electricity infrastructure and illegal encroachment on transmission corridors as part of efforts to protect public assets and accelerate power projects across the country.
The House Committee on Public Assets disclosed the proposed measures during an inspection of the 132KV New Haven-Ninth Mile-Nsukka double-circuit transmission line in Enugu State and the Egbu 330/132/33KV substation in Owerri, Imo State.
The committee expressed concern over the increasing incidents of vandalism targeting power infrastructure, warning that the activities were undermining investments in the electricity sector and threatening efforts to improve power supply.
The lawmakers also identified the proliferation of buildings along designated transmission routes as a major obstacle to the timely completion of electricity projects.
They noted that such developments violated established rights of way and created delays in the execution of critical transmission infrastructure.
The committee called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments to safeguard public assets, prevent encroachment on transmission corridors and ensure the timely delivery of power projects.
At the Egbu substation in Owerri, the lawmakers were informed that the project was approximately 85 per cent complete.
Upon completion, the substation is expected to add 250 megawatts of electricity supply in Imo State, strengthening the state’s power infrastructure.
The committee’s proposed tougher penalties are aimed at discouraging vandalism and protecting critical electricity assets considered essential to improving the country’s power sector.