The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the collapse of four towers along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV Double Circuit line due to vandalism.
This was disclosed in a statement by TCN’s General Manager, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mbah stated that the affected towers, T171 to T174, were compromised, which led to their collapse at approximately 6:23 pm on Tuesday.
According to the Manager, the towers were discovered after a failed trial reclosure that prompted a subsequent patrol as reported by the news agency of Nigeria.
“Investigations confirmed that the towers’ collapse was a direct result of vandalism.
“This incident has disrupted power supply to the Ahoda, Gbarain, and Yenagoa 132kV transmission substations, affecting some parts of Rivers State and the entire Bayelsa,” the report read in part.
Mbah explained that a team of engineers, led by the General Manager, Port Harcourt Region, Mr. Emmanuel Akpa, had visited the site to assess the extent of the damage.
She said that TCN was making efforts to mobilise personnel and materials to repair the vandalised towers to restore power supply to the affected states.
“TCN condemns 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, ‘’ she said
Mbah emphasized that vandalism undermines efforts to build a stable transmission grid and urged host communities to collaborate with TCN in tackling the destruction of power infrastructure.
Vandalism causes extensive damage to infrastructure, including transmission towers, power lines, transformers, and substations, which are expensive to repair or replace.
There are significant economic losses as businesses, industries, and service providers face interruptions in their operations, leading to decreased productivity, lost revenue, and in some cases, total shutdowns.