Akpa expressed deep regret over the vandalism, highlighting its significant impact on Bayelsa State’s power supply and the financial burden it has imposed on TCN.
Yenagoa, Nigeria – The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully repaired 13 out of the 16 transmission towers that were vandalized along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV transmission line.
This was disclosed in a statement on the company’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday.
TCN’s Port Harcourt Region General Manager, Emmanuel Akpa, revealed the progress on September 12 during a meeting with Bayelsa State Government Secretary, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and state assembly members.
Akpa expressed deep regret over the vandalism, highlighting its significant impact on Bayelsa State’s power supply and the financial burden it has imposed on TCN.
“We’re pained that this act has put the good people of Bayelsa into untold hardship and has equally plunged TCN into huge financial debt,” Akpa said. He described the scale of the destruction as unprecedented in his 33-year career, noting that while vandalism is an issue nationwide, the frequency in Bayelsa is alarming.
Akpa urged the state government and community leaders to take greater responsibility in protecting critical infrastructure and preventing future occurrences. He called on the Bayelsa government to address the issue decisively.
The Assistant General Manager of TCN’s Port Harcourt Sub-Region, Benneth Ezemobi, provided further updates, stating that local vigilante groups had been engaged to secure the ongoing repairs. Ezemobi revealed that two individuals had already been arrested for tampering with the newly rebuilt towers. He emphasized the need to secure the area to ensure the restoration of power to Bayelsa State.
In response, Prof. Ayawei reaffirmed the Bayelsa State government’s commitment to protecting the transmission towers. He announced plans to deploy additional security personnel and implement technology-based surveillance, including the use of internet-connected cameras, to monitor vulnerable areas.
“Power is too critical, and without it, our job as a government is incomplete,” Ayawei said, underscoring the impact of the vandalism on small businesses such as barbers and ice block sellers.
In a related development, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Bayelsa State government have reached an agreement to establish a new work center in Yenagoa. The center is expected to improve bulk power transmission and reduce downtime in the event of future faults.
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