The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has restored bulk power supply to Bayelsa through the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV transmission line at 08:03am yesterday (Tuesday, December 3), about five months after the collapse of the supply line towers, no thanks to vandalization of components parts.
Mrs Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs in a statement in Abuja yesterday said the restoration followed the successful reconstruction of the collapsed towers and restringing of vandalised conductors by TCN contractors.
Mbah said that a final inspection of work was conducted on Nov. 28 by a team of TCN engineers, led by Mr Emmanuel Akpa, Port-Harcourt Region General Manager.
”The team verified the integrity of the 20 newly erected towers Nos. 48–64 and 97–99 that were destroyed in a series of vandalism incidents on July 29 and Aug. 12.
”After confirming that all work met required standards, the line was cleared for energisation,”she said.
Mbah said that on the other hand, discussions are underway with stakeholders in Bayelsa and Rivers to implement a comprehensive community engagement programme.
According to her, this initiative seeks to educate local communities traversed by the transmission line on the consequences of vandalism and theft of power infrastructure.
She said that additionally, the programme would involve appointing community representatives to oversee the security of power equipment in their areas.
”This approach aims to foster a sense of local ownership and accountability for the infrastructure.
”These efforts are part of broader measures to prevent future incidents of large-scale vandalism, which left Bayelsa in total blackout since July 29.
”The economic losses incurred by residents, as well as the significant financial burden on TCN to restore the towers, have been substantial.
”TCN appeals to the public to support the nationwide campaign against vandalism of power infrastructure.
“Collective action is essential to safeguarding the country’s electricity assets for sustainable development, ”she was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria.(NAN), as saying.
