PICTORIAL: Darkness Looms As Vandals Destroy 13 Towers On Rivers-Bayelsa 132KV Transmission Line

Thirteen transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit transmission line have been vandalised in Rivers and Bayelsa States two weeks after a similar incident.

This was disclosed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in a statement signed by its general manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, late Wednesday night.

According to Mbah, the incident was first reported by the Youth President of the Ukpeli Community in Rivers State 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.

Describing the incident as a national disaster, the Managing Director/CEO of TCN urged the governments of Rivers and Bayelsa States to assist TCN in addressing the ongoing vandalism of its installations, which has become increasingly alarming and overwhelming.

He recalled 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 vandalised 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.

“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.

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