13 transmission towers alongside the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit transmission line have been vandalised in Rivers and Bayelsa States two weeks after an identical incident.
This was disclosed by the Transmission Firm of Nigeria (TCN) in a press release signed by its basic supervisor, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, late Wednesday evening.
Based on Mbah, the incident was first reported by the Youth President of the Ukpeli Neighborhood in Rivers State on August 12, 2024.
“The Port Harcourt area of TCN, led by Normal Supervisor of Transmission, Engr. Emmanuel Akpa, promptly visited the location close to TCN’s Ahoada Transmission Substation to evaluate the state of affairs. The crew confirmed that 13 towers, from T52 to T64, had been affected by vandalism. Of those, 9 towers have collapsed utterly, whereas 4 are hanging precariously and will collapse at any second,” the TCN spokesperson acknowledged.
Describing the incident as a nationwide catastrophe, the Managing Director/CEO of TCN urged the governments of Rivers and Bayelsa States to help TCN in addressing the continuing vandalism of its installations, which has change into more and more alarming and overwhelming.
He recalled that TCN had not too long ago responded to the vandalism and subsequent collapse of towers T97 to T99 on the identical line route on July 29, 2024, with work nonetheless ongoing to rebuild the vandalised towers.
“Moreover, a brand new contract was not too long ago awarded for the reinforcement of towers 19-31 on the Ahoada-Yenagoa line, the place tower members had been vandalized and stolen. Regardless of these ongoing efforts, the latest vandalism of the 13 towers presents a major problem to TCN.
“The 13 vandalized towers are situated in a number of communities, together with Okobe in Ahoada East, Emezhi 1 in Ahoada West, and Mbiama in Ahoada West Native Authorities Areas of Rivers State, in addition to the Igbogene neighborhood in Bayelsa State.
“You will need to observe that the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit Transmission line is essential for evacuating energy from the Ahoada Transmission Substation to the Yenagoa Substation, which provides electrical energy to your complete Bayelsa State,” the assertion additional highlighted.
It added that given the extent of the destruction to the towers and the continuing work on beforehand vandalised transmission towers, it might take a number of months for TCN to finish the rebuilding and stringing of the towers to revive energy provide to affected arrears in each states.
“TCN as soon as once more appeals to safety operatives, host communities, conventional rulers, state governments, and all stakeholders to collaborate with TCN within the combat in opposition to energy set up vandalism. Pressing motion is required,” Mbah acknowledged.
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