The Transmission Company of Nigeria,TCN,has announced vandals’ destruction of several transmission towers along the Owerri -Ahoada 132kv ,causing severe power outage in Balyesa and parts of Rivers State.
The incident which happened at approximately 6:23 pm on Tuesday, 11th March affected towers, T171 to T174, leading to the collapse of the towers.
Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s Spokesperson, TCN,in a statement said incident follows a series of similar attacks in the region, including the Ahoada-Yenagoa line, which has faced repeated vandalism, disrupting power supply and repair efforts.
The statement said: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) regrets to inform the public that four of its towers along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV Double Circuit line have been vandalized, resulting in their collapse.
“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 Ahoda, Gbarain, and Yenagoa 132kV transmission substations, affecting some parts of Rivers State and the entire Bayelsa State.
“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 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”
