By Joy Onu
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has urged residents of host communities in Imo State to avoid building within designated transmission line corridors and to help safeguard critical power infrastructure against vandalism and other activities that threaten electricity supply.
In a statement issued by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah on Saturday, the company said the appeal was made during a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme held in Owerri on June 25, where it engaged traditional rulers, youth leaders and community representatives on the need to protect transmission facilities and comply with statutory Right-of-Way (RoW) regulations.
The appeal was made during a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme held in Owerri on June 25, where the company engaged traditional rulers, youth leaders and community representatives on the need to protect transmission facilities and comply with statutory Right-of-Way (RoW) regulations.
Speaking at the event, the Assistant General Manager, Technical Services, Port Harcourt Region, Dr. Raymond Chika Ubani, described TCN as the vital link between electricity generation and distribution, explaining that the company transports bulk power from generating stations to distribution companies.
Ubani called on community leaders and youth groups to take ownership of transmission installations by remaining vigilant and promptly reporting suspicious activities around power facilities to security agencies.
The Principal Manager of the Owerri Work Centre, Engr. Nnaemeka Aninwe, warned residents against encouraging vandalism by purchasing or trading in scrap metal removed from transmission towers. He also cautioned against dumping refuse around tower foundations, noting that chemical reactions from decomposing waste could weaken tower structures and compromise their stability.
Aninwe further reminded residents that the statutory Right-of-Way extends 15 metres on both sides of 132kV transmission lines and 30 metres on both sides of 330kV lines, urging developers to verify safety distances before embarking on construction projects.
Responding on behalf of the host communities, the Deputy Chairman of Owerri Municipal Council, Hon. Lucky Abaraonye, assured the company of continued support in protecting electricity infrastructure. He said the Imo State Government had strengthened grassroots security by deploying trained 15-man security teams with operational vehicles across the area’s 21 autonomous communities to curb vandalism and other criminal activities.
According to TCN, more than 100 participants at the programme pledged to work with the company and security agencies to safeguard transmission infrastructure within their communities.
