The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully repaired and erected 13 out of the 16 transmission towers destroyed by vandals along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV transmission line. This update was shared on the company’s X handle on Thursday.
During a meeting with Bayelsa’s Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and members of the State House of Assembly on September 12, the General Manager of TCN’s Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel Akpa, spoke to PulseNets about the severe impact of the vandalism on Bayelsa State’s electricity supply. Akpa expressed his deep concern, noting the significant financial losses incurred by TCN.
“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 told PulseNets.
Akpa further described the scale of the damage as unprecedented in his 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,” he stated. He urged the Bayelsa State government to take decisive action to prevent future occurrences.
The Assistant General Manager of TCN’s Port Harcourt Sub-Region, Benneth Ezemobi, provided additional insights, reporting to PulseNets that a local vigilante group had been engaged to protect the ongoing repairs. He revealed that two vandals had already been apprehended for tampering with the newly rebuilt towers.
Ezemobi emphasised to PulseNets the critical need to secure the area to ensure the timely completion of repairs and the full restoration of bulk power to Bayelsa State.
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In response, Ayawei reaffirmed the state’s commitment to safeguarding the transmission towers. Speaking to PulseNets, he announced that the state would deploy heavy security personnel and integrate technology-based surveillance, including the installation of internet cameras, to monitor vulnerable areas. “Power is too critical, and without it, our job as a government is incomplete,” Ayawei remarked, highlighting the impact of the vandalism on small businesses like barbers and ice block sellers.
PulseNets also learnt that TCN and the Bayelsa State government have agreed to establish a new work center in Yenagoa. This center aims to improve bulk power transmission and reduce downtime in the event of future faults.
