The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported a disturbing trend of vandalism on its critical infrastructure, specifically the Shiroro-Katampe 330 Kilo Volt (kV) transmission line. This act of sabotage marks the fifth incident between February and March, causing significant disruptions to power supply in the region.
Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, expressed deep concern over the recent incident in a statement released in Abuja. She revealed that on Sunday morning, the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line experienced a sudden trip, leading to a thorough investigation by TCN engineers. Despite their efforts to restore operation, the team faced challenges and had to physically patrol the suspected area to identify the fault location.
During the fault tracing process, vigilant community leaders alerted TCN linesmen to the presence of vandalism along the transmission line. Upon inspection, it was confirmed that transmission line 1, spanning from Towers 244 to 245, had been vandalized with conductors stolen. This criminal act not only disrupts the flow of electricity but also poses a threat to the stability of the power grid.
In response to the incident, TCN is prioritizing the enhancement of the wheeling capacity towards Abuja and its environs through the Lokoja – Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line. Despite the challenges posed by these acts of sabotage, the company is committed to minimizing the adverse effects on bulk power supply to the affected areas.
This recent incident adds to a series of vandalism cases recorded by TCN in February, including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalade-Katampe transmission line and the vandalization of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line. These incidents highlight the urgent need for increased security measures to protect critical infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted power supply for the people of Nigeria.
As TCN continues to address the aftermath of these criminal acts, it calls for vigilance and cooperation from the community to safeguard the nation’s power infrastructure. The resilience and determination of TCN’s team in overcoming these challenges demonstrate their unwavering commitment to providing reliable electricity services despite the obstacles they face. Together, we can work towards a future where acts of vandalism no longer threaten the stability of Nigeria’s power grid.
