The wave of attacks on power infrastructure continued as vandals destroyed 13 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit transmission line, impacting several communities in Rivers and Bayelsa states.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) revealed that it will take several months to replace the damaged towers and restore power to Bayelsa State.
Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, said the incident was initially reported on August 12, 2024, by the Youth President of the Ukpeli Community in Rivers State.
Following the report, the General Manager of Transmission for TCN’s Port Harcourt region, Engr. Emmanuel Akpa, led a team to the site near the Ahoada Transmission Substation to assess the damage.
“The team confirmed that thirteen towers, from T52 to T64, were affected by vandalism. Of these, nine towers have collapsed completely, while four are hanging precariously and could collapse at any moment”, she added.
The Managing Director/CEO of TCN, Engr. Abdulazeez mmmmm, described the incident as a national disaster and urged the governments of Rivers State and Bayelsa State to assist the company in addressing the ongoing vandalism of its installations, which has become increasingly alarming and overwhelming.
He noted that TCN had recently responded to the vandalism and subsequent collapse of towers T97 to T99 on the same line route on July 29, 2024, with work still ongoing to rebuild the vandalized towers.
“Additionally, a new contract was recently awarded for the reinforcement of towers 19-31 on the Ahoada-Yenagoa line, where tower members had been vandalized and stolen. Despite these ongoing efforts, the recent vandalism of the thirteen towers presents a significant challenge to TCN.
“The thirteen vandalized towers are located in several communities, including Okobe in Ahoada East, Emezhi 1 in Ahoada West, and Mbiama in Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State, as well as the Igbogene community in Bayelsa State”, the company added.
Mbah stated that the “Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit Transmission line is crucial for evacuating power from the Ahoada Transmission Substation to the Yenagoa Substation, which supplies electricity to the entire Bayelsa State.
“Given the extent of the destruction to the towers and the ongoing work on previously vandalized transmission towers, it may take several months for TCN to complete the rebuilding and stringing of the towers to restore power supply to the state.
“TCN once again appeals to security operatives, host communities, traditional rulers, state governments, and all stakeholders to collaborate with TCN in the fight against power installation vandalism. Urgent action is required”.
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