By Ikwen Atuaka
Equipment at the 2X132KVA line bay extension substation at Utuhu, Obanlikwu, which forms part of the infrastructure for the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) have been gutted by fire, CrossRiverWatch can authoritatively report.
The incident happened Friday night with locals who engage in bush burning to kill weeds as the planting season nears, fingered as the cause of the inferno.
The security operative at the scene who spoke with CrossRiverWatch says the Fire Service and Civil Defence Corps were contacted with the fire service claiming their vehicle was in bad shape which makes it the second time in two months they have failed to respond to emergency situations.
CrossRiverWatch also gathered that the owner of the plot neighbouring the facility feigned ignorance with a bystander wondering why the grasses in the premises were not cleared.
Smoke could still be seen billowing from some of the equipment which were completely razed.
When contacted, the Power Commissioner, Thomas Udam who returned from India only yesterday, told our government house correspondent that he was yet to be informed about the development.