By CONSTANCE ATHEKAME

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says more than 18 transmission towers were vandalised between Jan 9 and Jan 14 across Rivers, Abia, and Kano states.

Mrs Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

Mbah said that Mr Emmanuel Okpa, General Manager, Transmission TCN?S Port Harcourt Region, reported that routine patrols by linesmen on Jan. 10, uncovered damage to towers 171 through towers 181 and 184.

She said that on Jan. 14, vandals targeted towers 146, 147, and 149 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132 Kilo Volt kV line in Rivers, removing base brackets and compromising the stability of the towers.

?In Abia State, Mr Azuh Lucky, Head of the Lines Department for the region, reported the theft of bolts, nuts, and structural members from towers 160 to 162 on the Alaoji/Umuahia 132kV line.

?Meanwhile, in Kano, towers 105, 106, and 107 along the Katsina-Gazoua 132/33kV transmission line were critically damaged by vandals on Jan. 9, compromising their structural integrity and risking collapse.

?In the early hours of Jan.17, vandalised 132kV underground transmission cables were discovered by TCN engineers near Millennium Park in Abuja. This affected power supply to the central area and its environs.

?These incidents pose a significant challenge to TCN?S operations as a company,? she said.

She said that the company had bolstered security measures, increased lines patrol and the number of vigilante groups, and is also collaborating with security operatives.

Mbah said that the company was appealing for the full support of every Nigerian, particularly those in communities hosting TCN?S installations.

?Nigerians must collectively recognise that the transmission network is our collective asset and essential for our socioeconomic development.

?The vandals and those who buy stolen materials are sabotaging the nation. All hands must be on deck to ensure the growth of the country?s power sector, which is critical to the development of our country

?TCN?s grid expansion plans are under tremendous strain due to the persistent vandalism of its installations,? she said.

She said that the financial implications of constant repairs to vandalised transmission installations, along with the stress on the grid, were having adverse effects on TCNs grid expansion drive.

?This is a clarion call for everyone to join forces with TCN to put an end to this menace and safeguard our electricity network,? Mbah said. (NAN)

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