Again, vandals destroy 13 transmission towers in Bayelsa, Rivers

Suspected vandals have destroyed no fewer than 13 towers on the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit transmission line which supplies electricity to Bayelsa State.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed this in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

TCN towers T97 to T99 were destroyed by vandals on July 29.

Mbah said the latest incident was first reported by the Youth President of the Ukpeli Community in Rivers on Monday, August 12.

She said the destroyed towers are located in several communities, including Okobe in Ahoada East, Emezhi 1 in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Others are in Mbiama in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, as well as the Igbogene community in Bayelsa State.

The TCN spokesperson noted that the Port Harcourt region of TCN, led by the General Manager of Transmission, Emmanuel Akpa, visited the site near TCN’s Ahoada transmission substation to assess the situation.

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Mbah stated that the team confirmed that 13 towers from T52 to T64 were destroyed by vandals.

Mbah stated that nine towers collapsed completely, while four were hanging precariously and could collapse at any moment.

The TCN Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, described the incident as a national disaster.

Abdulaziz urged the governments of Rivers and Bayelsa States to assist TCN in addressing the ongoing vandalism of its installations, which he said has become increasingly alarming and overwhelming.

He said TCN had recently responded to the vandalised and subsequent collapse of towers T97 to T99 on the same line route on July 29 with work still ongoing to rebuild the vandalised towers.

He added: “It is important to note that the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit Transmission line is crucial for evacuating power from the Ahoada Transmission Substation to the Yenagoa Substation, which supplies electricity to the entire Bayelsa State.

“Given the extent of the destruction to the towers and the ongoing work on previously vandalized transmission towers, it may take several months for TCN to complete the rebuilding and stringing of the towers to restore power supply to the state.

“TCN once again appeals to security operatives, host communities, traditional rulers, state governments, and all stakeholders to collaborate with TCN in the fight against power installation vandalism. Urgent action is required.”

The Star