Residents of Rivers and Bayelsa states should prepare for extended power outages following recent vandalism that has severely impacted electricity infrastructure. Thirteen transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuits were destroyed by vandals, leading to significant disruptions in power supply.
Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager of Public Affairs for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), released a statement on Wednesday detailing the situation. According to Mbah, the destruction of these towers is part of a troubling pattern of vandalism affecting TCN’s facilities.
The TCN has appealed to the state governments of Rivers and Bayelsa to provide assistance in combating the increasing threat of vandalism. The company has noted that this issue is becoming alarmingly frequent and overwhelming, disrupting power delivery and causing extensive damage to critical infrastructure.
This latest incident is particularly disturbing as it follows a previous attack on the same transmission line. Earlier this year, similar damage occurred along the Ahoada-Yenagoa route, prompting TCN to take immediate action. A new contract was recently awarded to reinforce towers 19-31, which had previously been vandalized and had their parts stolen.
Despite these ongoing efforts to address and repair the damaged infrastructure, the recent destruction of the thirteen towers has posed a significant new challenge for TCN. The vandalized towers are located in several communities, including Okobe and Emezhi 1 in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State, as well as Igbogene in Bayelsa State.
The scale of the damage has made it clear that restoring power will be a lengthy and complex process. The company estimates that it may take several months to rebuild the damaged towers and complete the necessary work to re-establish the power supply. The extended outage will affect many households and businesses in the region, exacerbating the difficulties faced by residents and local economies.
In response to this crisis, TCN is calling for a collaborative effort involving security operatives, local communities, and other stakeholders to address and prevent further vandalism of electricity facilities. The company emphasizes the importance of joint action to safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure reliable power supply for the affected regions.
The recent events highlight the urgent need for enhanced security measures and community engagement to protect essential services. As the TCN works to repair the damage and restore normal operations, it is crucial for all parties involved to work together to mitigate the impact of these disruptions and prevent future incidents.
