Emmanuel Ochayi
The Transmission Company of Nigeria’s Port Harcourt Region has sounded an alarm concerning the escalating interference with its lines’ Right of Way across communities within its six mandate states.
Dr. Inugonum Thomas, the General Manager, expressed concern over vandals and thieves attacking and pilfering transmission lines, power stations, transformers, and other crucial power equipment.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThomas, speaking after inspecting company facilities in Port Harcourt, emphasized the role of secure transmission lines in the power chain. He stated, “We suffer from people attacking the transmission lines, destroying it, making us unable to transport power easily.”
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Highlighting the challenges faced by the company, Thomas cited instances of communities obstructing Right of Way projects crucial for improving infrastructure. He recounted an incident where a community in Akwa Ibom dug 500 graves overnight to demand compensation, illustrating the extreme measures taken to impede progress.
The TCN boss also revealed repeated vandalization in areas like Calabar and Elelenwo, stressing the urgent need for government intervention. He urged deploying military personnel or Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps operatives to monitor stations, preventing further damage. Thomas emphasized the severe consequences, mentioning instances where conductors worth nearly N800 million were severed, posing fire hazards.
Ben Ezemobi, the Assistant General Manager, Port Sub-Region, mentioned ongoing efforts to install a 100MVA transformer, aimed at bolstering the power supply by an additional 100MW in Rivers State, complementing the existing 180MW capacity.
