Vandalization of Public Electric Power Facilities in States Under theFranchise Area of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company – KEDC

Abstract

Vandalization of public electric power facilities is a problem that affects virtually all communities across Nigeria. The situation has continued to be a source of worry to governments, corporations as well as individuals. The objective of the study is to identify some of the predisposing factors responsible for the vandalization of these facilities and also to examine the consequences of such vandalization with a view to making recommendations based on the findings on how best it can be reduced or stopped. The study adopted radical theory as an explanatory frame work. The study collected quantitative as well as qualitative data. Quantitative data was collected from a sample of three hundred and sixty (360) respondents, while qualitative data was collected from sixty (60) key informants. Correspondingly, the study also collected secondary data from KEDC publications and other relevant materials. Findings from the study revealed that availability of market where proceeds of vandalization of public electric power facilities are sold and marginalization of some communities in terms of allocation or distribution of electric power infrastructure are some of the predisposing factors responsible for the vandalization of such facilities. In conclusion, the study recommended that government should ban all illegal scrap metal traders in the country and register only a few genuine ones. Such situation will give security operatives the opportunity to trace any item that may have been removed or stolen from the network and also help in the prompt arrest of the perpetrators. Finally, the study recommended that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps should device a more result-oriented law enforcement strategy by focusing more in the protection of infrastructural facilities which is one of the reasons why they were established, than waste valuable time in protecting politicians and or their families. If the above recommendations are properly addressed, the prospect with regards to the security of these facilities will be very bright.