TCN Educates Ebonyi Communities on Protecting Power Installations

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has launched a campaign in Ebonyi to tackle rising vandalism and illegal building on its Right of Way (RoW).

Ndidi Mbah, the general manager of public affairs at TCN, shared this in a statement from Abuja on Saturday. The campaign took place in Umuhuali, Ezillo, and Nkalagu communities in Ebonyi State.

Mrs Mbah mentioned that the campaign also focused on the digging of soil near the bases of transmission towers.

Thomas Inugonum, the General Manager of Transmission for the Enugu Region, explained that the goal is to build better relationships with communities that have TCN infrastructure.

He highlighted five key areas where the community needs to act quickly: the dangers of vandalising 330 Kilo Volt (kV) and 132kV high-voltage lines; illegal building in TCN’s RoW; digging soil around tower bases; the risks of farming or living near 330kV/132kV towers; and burning waste under transmission lines.

Mr Inugonum noted that similar campaigns in Makurdi, Benue State, and Agbogugu and Ihe in Enugu State had good results. He is hopeful that Ebonyi will see the same success.

He recalled a sad event in Ezillo, Ebonyi, where a vandal died from electrocution while trying to damage tower 34 on the Nkalagu-Abakaliki 132kV line.

Mr Inugonum also revealed that on May 9, local youths and security personnel in Ezza Umuhuali caught two vandals dismantling important parts from Towers T15, T16, and T17 on the Nkalagu-Abakaliki 132kV Single Circuit line.

“Transmission tower parts worth millions of naira are vandalised and sold to illegal scrap dealers for very little money,” he said.

He urged communities to stay involved and work closely with security agencies to stop the illegal sale of stolen power parts.

Mr Inugonum also encouraged residents to quickly report any suspicious activities near TCN installations to security agencies or use the company's hotlines.

During the campaign, Mr Inugonum and his team visited the traditional ruler of Umuhuali Autonomous Community, Patrick Udoku.

Receiving the team with his cabinet, Mr Udoku promised that his community would fully commit to protecting power installations and stopping illegal encroachment on TCN’s RoW.

Speaking for the communities, Solomon Nweke, the president general of Ezza Umuhuali Town Union, credited the recent arrests to the vigilance of local security and community leaders.

Mr Nweke called attacks on power infrastructure “a direct attack on the national economy that puts lives and property at risk.”

He urged TCN to keep engaging with host communities and support local security efforts.

Participants from the various communities promised to work together with TCN and security agencies to protect the transmission facilities that serve their areas and the nation.