The Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced another case of vandalism affecting power infrastructure, which is anticipated to interrupt bulk power delivery along the Lokoja-Gwagwalada corridor.
According to a statement issued by TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, vandals targeted the 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line 1 during the early morning of Saturday, resulting in significant damage and disruptions in power supply.
Mbah stated that “TCN engineers tried to restore power to the 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line 1, but the line went offline.”
“After unsuccessful attempts to repair the line, a group of TCN linesmen was sent to examine the route. It was found that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 had suffered extensive vandalism, and additional inquiry showed that two sections of aluminum conductors were missing.”
The statement added that the Lokoja–Gwagwalada line features double circuits, indicating that while TCN can transmit some bulk power via line two, the theft on line one has considerably affected transmission efficiency.
The agency said it had begun efforts to substitute the missing aluminum conductors to regain complete transmission capacity.
“These recurrent assaults on vital infrastructure jeopardize not only the stability of Nigeria’s national grid but also obstruct attempts to enhance the country’s power capacity.
“The rise in vandalism incidents poses a major challenge to our power infrastructure and has become a significant impediment to the growth and reliability of the national grid,” the statement read.
Mbah further urged the public, especially those residing near transmission lines and towers, to support security efforts to combat these destructive activities.
“We once again appeal to members of the public to collaborate with TCN and security operatives in fighting this menace. Vandalism of power installations is a disservice to all of us, setting back efforts to strengthen and expand the nation’s transmission system,” Mbah emphasized.
