TCN Urges Edo State, Communities to Safeguard Power Lines from Vandalism

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Benin Region has appealed to the Edo State government and local communities for enhanced protection of transmission infrastructure amid ongoing vandalism threats.

The general manager of TCN’s Benin Region, Charles Iwuamadi, raised the appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Edo State Ministry of Power.

The event, held at the Conference Hall of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government in Benin City, addressed persistent electricity supply disruptions.
Iwuamadi called on the state to help clear encroachments from transmission line rights-of-way, noting that compensation had been paid before tower installations.

He highlighted frequent damage to assets, which causes major losses and repair delays of weeks.
Security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have arrested some vandals, but Iwuamadi said stronger action is required.

TCN’s general manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, described TCN’s role in wheeling bulk electricity from generation companies (GenCos) to distribution companies (DisCos) nationwide.

Despite national generation stuck between 4,500MW and 5,000MW for over two decades, Mbah noted that transmission capacity in Edo and across Nigeria remains sufficient and is expanding.
Iwuamadi cited recent projects like the Ihovbor-Ajaokuta Transmission Line 1, now evacuating power from Benin to Ajaokuta and Abuja, and the ongoing Irrua Transmission Substation upgrade.

She added that regional lines follow an N-1 contingency system for quick fault recovery, aided by proximity to plants like Azura Power.

Vandalism, however, continues to hinder these gains, Iwuamadi said, urging state and community support. TCN also runs rigorous preventive maintenance and encouraged DisCos to follow suit.
Engr. Patrick Amos, Assistant General Manager for System Operations in Benin, clarified that TCN handles evacuation to DisCo load centers but not end-user distribution.

Attendees included representatives from Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Azura Power, GTL Power Ltd, Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), meter asset providers, civil society, and community groups.