The Infrastructure Security, Monitoring, and Control Office of Ethiopian Electric Power stated that the preventive measures taken by EEP against the theft of power transmission line steel towers are yielding positive results.

Mr. Wale Tamire, the Manager of the office, said that the Prime Minister has emphasized theft crime prevention of power transmission line steel poles as a national-level concern.

The National Intelligence and Security Service has worked to ensure that regional governments and relevant security institutions recognize power infrastructure theft as part of the country’s national security agenda.

Moreover, 21 transmission lines that have been frequently targeted by theft and require special attention have been identified.

The company has also established a strong information exchange system with the National Intelligence and Security Service.

The Office further clarified that in the last six months, together with the Corporate Communication Office, it has conducted seven awareness forums with regional, zonal, and district officials, as well as religious leaders, elders, and Aba Gada leaders, in different parts of the country to address the issue of power transmission infrastructure theft.

Moreover, Mr. Wale stated that, as a result of the awareness raised in the discussion forums, the control system has been strengthened, and the local community’s sense of ownership of the infrastructure has been growing.

He added that over the past six months, the theft of transmission towers has decreased compared to the same period in previous year.

He also stated that strategies have been developed to sustain the progress made and encourage the local community to safeguard transmission line steel poles with a sense of ownership.

According to Mr. Wale, the organization is working on raising awareness in all languages and has also developed a long-term plan to implement best practices from neighboring countries and utilize technology for preventing the theft of power transmission line steel poles.