The Transmission Company of Nigeria has successfully rebuilt and erected 13 of the 16 transmission towers destroyed by vandals on the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV transmission line.
This is according to a post on the company’s X account on Thursday.
The General Manager of TCN’s Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel Akpa, reported this development during a meeting with the Secretary to the State Government of Bayelsa, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on September 12.
Akpa expressed sincere remorse for the vandalism, which has seriously disrupted Bayelsa State’s electrical supply and cost TCN enormous financial damages.
“We’re pained that this act has put the good people of Bayelsa into untold hardship and has equally plunged TCN into huge financial debt,” Akpa said.
He further described the extent of the destruction as unprecedented in his long career.
“In my 33 years of service, I have never seen this kind of colossal damage. It should be a national concern. Although vandalism is recorded across the country, the rate in this area is alarming,” Akpa stated.
To avoid such instances, Akpa urged for improved coordination between the state administration and community leaders, pushing them to take greater responsibility for protecting infrastructure in their communities.
He urged the Bayelsa State administration to “decisively address this issue to forestall future occurrences.”
Benneth Ezemobi, Assistant General Manager of TCN’s Port Harcourt Sub-Region, provided fresh details, stating that a local vigilante organization had been formed to secure the continuing repairs.
He revealed that two vandals had previously been detained for messing with the recently repaired towers.
Ezemobi stressed the need of safeguarding the region to ensure that repairs are completed smoothly and bulk power is restored to Bayelsa State.
In response, Ayawei emphasized the state’s commitment to protecting transmission towers. He stated that Bayelsa would deploy heavy security forces and utilize technology-based surveillance, such as the purchase of internet cams, to monitor high-risk areas.
“Power is too critical, and without it, our job as a government is incomplete,” says Ayawei.
He emphasized the effect of the vandalism on small enterprises like barbers and ice cream vendors.
In a similar development, TCN and the Bayelsa State administration have agreed to set up a new work center in Yenagoa. The center will improve bulk power transmission while reducing downtime in the case of future problems.
