Tension as Niger Youths Threaten to Blow up Hydroelectric Dams
Laleye Dipo
Tension has gripped the people of Niger State and security operatives in the state as some youths threaten to blow up the three hydroelectric dams in the state over the persistent decline in electricity supply to consumers.
The security operatives in the state and the government have also been gripped with fear by the threat because similar threat to occupy the Abuja Electricity Development Company (AEDC) offices issued by the youths was carried out and resulted in four-day blackout in Minna and environs last December.
As a result, security has been beefed up around all the electricity installations, including the Jebba, Kainji and Shiroro hydroelectric dams.
The #YouthleadNigeria# had given the AEDC up to January 5 to improve its services by ensuring uninterrupted supply of electricity for 24 hours daily or face the consequences.
Convener of the group, Mohammed Saidu Etsu, told journalists in Minna at the weekend that “AEDC has not met our demands so we will carry out our actions including blowing up of the hydroelectric dams in the state
According to him, “We will begin sit-out at the Shiroro Transmission Station in Minna from Monday (today), and our members throughout the state will occupy all AEDC offices to show that we are serious about our demands.”
He asked the people of the state to “join us in this project,” saying: “For once, we should stand up for our right.”
Flanked by other officials of the group, Etsu declared that “instead of the AEDC to meet our demands, we are retrogressing, resulting in all businesses collapsing; investors refusing to invest in the state, unemployment increasing by the day.
“We learnt that the government has met with the AEDC officials and reach agreement with them; the government has not briefed us, if we have to change our position, the government must be ready to be held accountable, and assure us that AEDC will give 24-hour supply of electricity.”
The #YouthleadNigeria, he said, would also this week institute a N100billion suit against the AEDC to “recover the amount illegally made from our people as a result of estimated billings over the years compensation for families who lost their loved ones and property as a result of power surge around the state and others.”
Etsu categorically denied that the group was being sponsored by some people in the state, insisting that “what we are doing is a just cause.”
All the security agencies in the state were keeping mute on the issue but THISDAY observed that there is increased presence in all AEDC offices in Minna, the state capital.