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November 22, (THEWILL) – Suspected vandals have again destroyed the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132 Kilo Volt (kV) transmission line, which is currently under repair due to previous vandalism.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed this on Friday, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah.
Mbah said the incident which occurred on Tuesday night, affected towers 29 to 31, resulting in the theft of approximately one-third of the conductor.
She said a team of TCN engineers, led by the General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, Mr Emmanuel Akpa, had conducted an inspection of the site.
”In order to prevent further theft while repairs are being made, local security has been engaged at Ula Ikata in Ahoada East Local Government Area to secure the site until repairs are completed. Additionally, the line will be energised from the Ahoada end as a preventive measure.
”Efforts to replace the stolen 250mm conductor are currently underway. In spite of challenges posed by difficult terrain and flooding”
Mbah, who disclosed that the “restringing of the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line is approximately 85 percent completed”, said earlier, in November, vandals had attacked the transmission towers in the Okada and Ofosu Communities along the 330kV Benin-Egbin and Benin-Omotosho transmission lines.
“A total of 31 towers were affected in this incident before the second attack recorded on Nov.19″, she lamented.
Mbah said the vandalised towers which suffered significant damage, with critical components removed were discovered by TCN linesmen during a routine patrol.
”TCN engineers from the Benin Sub-Region had initiated repairs to prevent the collapse of the affected towers and to avoid disruption of bulk power supply. These incidents underscore the urgent need to combat the growing problem of vandalism and theft affecting Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
”TCN calls on the public to support efforts to address these crimes, which have significantly hampered the expansion and stability of the national grid”, she said.
Mbah appealed to security operatives and local communities to be more vigilant in safeguarding power infrastructure in their areas.
