The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported on August 2, 2021, that vandals destroyed two transmission towers, T98 and T99, on the Ahoada/Yenagoa 132kV line in Bayelsa’s Igbooghene community.
General Manager of Public Affairs for TCN, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, announced this in a statement released in Abuja today.
Mbah stated that the incident led to the collapse of both towers.
This disruption cut off power supply to Bayelsa, including TCN’s Yenagoa Sub-station and the Gbarain Power Station.
The company stated that the state’s capital, Yenagoa and all other parts of Bayelsa State lacks power supply currently.
Engineers, led by Mr. Emmanuel Akpa, General Manager of Transmission for the Port Harcourt Region, inspected the site of the destroyed towers.
However, they were accompanied by operatives from the Department of State Services.
In a statement made by the company, they said:
“Plans are already ongoing to mobilise a contractor on an emergency basis to reconstruct the collapsed towers.
“This follows an incident on June 16, where an individual was caught destroying tower T238 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV double circuit transmission lines.
“Another act of vandalism occurred on June 10, at the Ahoada Transmission Substation”.
The company urged the public to assist in the battle against the vandalism of power infrastructure across the country.
They further stated they will persist in working with security operatives and local communities, including the DSS and Civil Defence Corps, to address the issue.
“Meanwhile, we are interfacing with stakeholders including security operatives in Yenagoa…
“To put in place other initiatives geared towards helping TCN curtail the menace within the State”, they added.
About TCN
TCN is a government-owned entity responsible for the transmission of electricity across Nigeria.
It operates and maintains the country’s electrical power transmission infrastructure, which includes high voltage transmission lines, substations, and other essential equipment.
TCN is a key player in the Nigerian power sector, ensuring that electricity generated by power plants is efficiently transported to distribution companies and then to end-users.
Therefore, they play a critical role in the national grid’s stability, reliability, and expansion.
Vandalism of power assets in the south-south region
The South-South region of Nigeria has experienced numerous instances of vandalization of power infrastructure.
This has significantly impacted the power supply and contributed to widespread outages.
Key incidents include:
Destruction of Transmission Towers:
In August 2023, two transmission towers along the Ahoada/Yenagoa 132kV line in Bayelsa State were destroyed by vandals.
This attack led to a complete power outage in Bayelsa, affecting households, businesses, and critical facilities.
Such incidents result in prolonged power outages, hampering industrial activities, disrupting daily life, and causing economic losses.
Attacks on Substations: In 2022, vandals attacked a major substation in Rivers State, leading to significant damage.
This attack not only interrupted power supply but also required extensive repairs and upgrades.
Damage to substations can lead to expensive repairs and extended downtime, affecting both residential and commercial power consumers.
Theft of Electrical Equipment:
In Delta State, thieves stripped copper wiring and other valuable components from power lines.
This theft reduces the efficiency and safety of the power infrastructure.
Equipment theft increases maintenance costs and can lead to frequent power outages, as well as posing safety hazards.