Two weeks after a similar occurrence, thirteen transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit transmission line have been vandalized in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) revealed this in a statement issued late Wednesday night by Ndidi Mbah, the general manager of Public Affairs.
Mbah stated that the Youth President of the Ukpeli Community in Rivers State was the first to report the incident on August 12, 2024.
“The Port Harcourt region of TCN, led by General Manager of Transmission, Engr. Emmanuel Akpa, promptly visited the site near TCN’s Ahoada Transmission Substation to assess the situation. 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,” the TCN spokesperson stated.
Referencing the incident as a national catastrophe, the Managing Director/CEO of TCN called on the governments of Rivers and Bayelsa States to support TCN in tackling the escalating and distressing vandalism of its installations.
He noted that recently, TCN had addressed the vandalism incident and the resulting collapse of towers T97 to T99 on the same line route on July 29, 2024, and efforts to rebuild the damaged towers are still underway.
“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.
“It is important to note 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,” the statement further highlighted.
It added that given the extent of the destruction to the towers and the ongoing work on previously vandalised transmission towers, it may take several months for TCN to complete the rebuilding and stringing of the towers to restore power supply to affected arrears in both states.
“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,” Mbah stated.
