JUST IN: Oyo Assembly Debunks Theft Of Electrical Cable Worth #500,000. Says It's #40,000 Electrical Fuse was Stolen.

The Management of the Oyo state House Of Assembly has confirmed news reported late yesterday that robbers invaded the Assembly and carted away items.

Speaking at a press conference organized to address the issue on Wednesday, the clerk of the house, Mrs. Felicia Oyediran, said only an electrical fuse worth over #40,000 or N45, 000 was stolen and not electrical-power cable.

The clerk further disclosed that two security guards who were on duty on the day of the incident have been invited for questioning by the state police and the house is awaiting the report of the investigation.

She, however, maintained that the incident which occurred in the early hours of Thursday 26 September, 2019, has not in anyway slowdown legislative activities in the pace setter State.

You will recalled a report in the early hours of Wednesday noting that the security lapses in and around the Oyo State House of Assembly premises seems to have worsen as thieves invaded the complex and carted away electrical cables worth over 500,000 naira for the third time.

The electrical-power cables were said to be used to transmit electricity from the overhead line conductors into the State hallow chamber, assembly complex and State lawmakers' offices.

And that the unfortunate incident has been slowing down legislative activities in the pace setter state.

naijatodaynew.blogspot.com had also earlier reported that the Thursday’s robbery is the third time electrical appliance will be stolen in the assembly.

Source revealed that the robbery happened two times during the eighth assembly and first time in the nineth assembly.

The source said, “I can recall this to be the third time cables were stolen over night. Though, it is the first time with the nineth assembly, but I remembered it happened twice during the eighth assembly and they spent close to one million naira to fix the damages.

“The unfortunate thing is despite the investigation so far about it. The culprit has not been apprehended. This is why it continues.”

Another source also added that during that eight Assembly, about 3 brain boxes of vehicles belonging to the House were stolen overnight.

However, Mrs Oyediran said the Assembly is working to forestall future occurence.

Two In Custody Over Oyo Assembly’s Electrical Cable Theft - Clerk

Following the report of the electrical cables theft by thieves in the Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, the Clerk of the House, Miss. Felicia Oyediran has said that two people have been invited by the officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

Oyediran stated that contrary to the report that the stolen cables worth about 500,000 naira, disclosed that it was electrical fuse that was stolen and that it was in the range of about 40,000 to 45,000 naira worth of price.

She stated this during a press conference organized to debunk the report, noting that the report is capable of misleading the public. It was held at the Conference Room of the Oyo State House of Assembly today, October 2nd, 2019, secretariat, Ibadan.

The Clerk clarified that the plenary sitting of the lawmakers has nothing to do with cable theft contrary to the report as the House has adjourned its sitting to October 3rd, 2019.

She added that issue of lack of electricity does not concern the House of Assembly alone, saying it also affected other offices including Office of the Accountant General and some ministries like agric, commerce, health and this was as a result of faulty transformer which the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and Ministry of Works and Transport have been looking into. 

Miss Oyediran, who confirmed that the incident was not the first time as reported, further said that two security guards who were on duty on the day of the incident have been invited for questioning by the state police and the house is awaiting the report of the investigation before any action can be carried out.

“However, the incident which occurred in the early hours on Thursday 26th September, 2019, has not in any way slowing down legislative activities in the state. All the legislators are busy with oversight functions and committee meetings.”

It was reported that electrical cables worth of 500,000 naira that transmit electricity from the overhead line conductors into the hallow chamber, assembly complex and offices of the lawmakers have been carted away by thieves.

The report further stated that some office appliances like fans, computers are often missing without trace or anyone is taking responsibility of the actions and inaction.

Meanwhile, lawmaker representing Oluyole state constituency and Vice Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Francis Adetunji, who was also at the press conference, confirmed that the lawmakers have been busy with one function or the other attached to them.

The lawmaker acknowledged duties and responsibilities of the press, hence solicited the support of the journalists to always verify their reports before sending them out to the public