The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced that four of its towers along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV Double Circuit line have been vandalized, resulting in their collapse.
This incident has disrupted power supply to the Ahoada, Gbarain, and Yenagoa 132kV transmission substations, affecting some parts of Rivers State and the entire Bayelsa State according to the company.
According to a statement signed by the company’s General Manager (Public Affairs), Mrs Ndidi Mbah, “The affected towers, T171 to T174, were compromised, which led to their collapse at approximately 6:23 pm on Tuesday, 11th March. The towers were discovered after a failed trial reclosure that prompted a subsequent patrol.
“Investigations confirmed that the towers’ collapse was a direct result of vandalism. This incident has disrupted power supply to the Ahoada, Gbarain, and Yenagoa 132kV transmission substations, affecting some parts of Rivers State and the entire Bayelsa State according to the company.
According to Mrs Mbah, a team of engineers, led by the General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, Engr. Emmanuel Apka has visited the site to assess the extent of the damage.
TCN, she stated, is making frantic effort to mobilize personnel and materials for the repair of the vandalized towers so that the bulk power supply can be restored to the affected states.
“We condemn this act of vandalism, which continues to undermine efforts made to put in place a robust transmission grid.
“We are again calling on host communities to join us in the urgent fight against the vandalism of power infrastructure”, Mbah appealed.