The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported the destruction of two transmission towers, T98 and T99, along the Ahoada/Yenagoa 132kV line in the Igbooghene community of Bayelsa State, due to vandalism.
TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, revealed in a statement on Friday that the destruction led to the collapse of both towers, resulting in a complete power outage for Bayelsa, affecting the TCN Yenagoa Sub-station and the Gbarain Power Station.
Currently, Yenagoa Metropolis and the entire Bayelsa State are without electricity. A team of engineers, led by Mr. Emmanuel Akpa, General Manager of Transmission for the Port Harcourt Region, along with operatives from the Department of State Services, have inspected the site.
Plans are underway to hire a contractor on an emergency basis to rebuild the collapsed towers. This incident follows previous acts of vandalism, including an attack on tower T238 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV double circuit transmission lines on June 16, and another at the Ahoada Transmission Substation on June 10.
The TCN has called on the public to support efforts to combat the vandalism of power infrastructure nationwide. The company emphasized its ongoing collaboration with security agencies, including the DSS and the Civil Defence Corps, as well as local communities, to address the issue.
“As we strive to build a resilient grid, it is crucial to recognize that the frequent redirection of funds meant for infrastructure expansion to replace vandalized equipment hinders the growth of the power sector,” the TCN stated.
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