By Mary Izuaka

 

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced rehabilitation works on four vandalised towers along the Afam/IPP/Elelenwo 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line in Rivers State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, TCN said the affected towers, T50, T51, T52 and T53, were discovered on 6th August by its linesmen during a routine patrol.

According to the company, further inspection showed that critical bracing members had been removed from all four towers, compromising their structural integrity.

“Further inspection revealed that critical bracing members had been removed from the towers, compromising the structural integrity of all four towers,” TCN said.

Following the discovery, TCN said it urgently mobilised a contractor to the site to effect repairs, adding that a formal handover ceremony to mark the commencement of rehabilitation works was held on Tuesday by the Port Harcourt Transmission Region.

TCN seeks community support to curb vandalism

Speaking at the event, the Head of Lines, Port Harcourt Transmission Region, Azuh Lucky, who represented TCN Management, stressed the need for greater community involvement in protecting transmission infrastructure.

He called on residents of Elelenwo, traditional rulers, and the local government chairman to assist TCN in the fight against vandals.

“Sustained community awareness and cooperation are very essential to preventing further vandalism,” he said.

He noted that vandalism of transmission towers poses a serious risk to reliable electricity supply along the corridor, and assured that the company would ensure timely completion of the rehabilitation.

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“We are mindful of the risk that vandalism of these towers poses to reliable transmission of electricity along the corridor. The Company will do everything possible to ensure the timely completion of the rehabilitation works,” he added.

Appeal to residents

TCN appealed to residents of Elelenwo and surrounding communities to support the ongoing works and remain vigilant against acts of vandalism around transmission facilities.

“The cooperation of the communities is critical to safeguarding the rehabilitated infrastructure and ensuring reliable power transmission along the line,” the company stated.

Vandalism of transmission infrastructure has remained a major challenge to grid stability in Nigeria, often leading to load shedding and prolonged outages in affected areas.