The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has condemned the frequent vandalism of electricity transmission facilities across the country, lamenting that it has spent over N5 billion to repair or replace damaged equipment in the last five months.
TCN’s Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider (TSP), Engr. Oluwagbenga Emmanuel Ajiboye, who spoke during a two-day meeting with all General Managers in TSP held on the 24th -25th of June, 2024 at the corporate headquarters, urged relevant stakeholders and security agencies to step up their efforts to protect electricity assets across the country.
There has been frequent vandalisation of transmission towers and facilities especially along Jos-Gombe 330kV Transmission Line which affected Gombe, Damaturu, Maiduguri, Yola, Bauchi and Jalingo. It has also affected the Damaturu-Maiduguri 330kV Single Circuit Transmission Line and other facilities in other parts of the country particularly in Northern Nigeria.
According to a statement by TCN on Tuesday morning, while regretting that resources earmarked for other developmental projects have been re-directed to address vandalized equipment, Ajiboye however assured that management is working tirelessly to address the issue, including a recent meeting with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to solicit his support and intervention.
He explained that the meeting was crucial in the context of the deregulated electricity market where General Managers, as key stakeholders in TCN, need to come together to strategize and explore ways to enhance TCN’s performance, thereby preventing potential losses and ensuring the company’s sustainability.
The TSN Executive Director emphasized that given TCN’s reliance on internally generated revenue with a meager federal government allocation, regular meetings like this are crucial for reassessing performance, particularly in response to shifting market dynamics, to ensure the company’s continued viability and success.
According to him, “As the team that sets the tone for this organization, our goal is excellence. We must regularly convene to evaluate our performance and strategize. With a deregulated market, we’re essentially in a competitive business environment, and to remain viable, we need to think innovatively and stay afloat.”
He pointed out that TCN has been incurring significant financial losses due to market infringements, therefore charged the General Managers to take immediate action to address the issue and stem the losses.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Finance and Account, Mr. Chukwuka Ochijie, encouraged participants to shift their focus away from the challenges and instead, offer pragmatic and actionable solutions that can drive the company forward, fostering a productive and solution-oriented discussion.
He stressed that funding is a significant challenge for the company, and urged participants to focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the problems. “I encourage you to identify our unfinished projects, analyze the causes of delays, and provide recommendations for prompt action. Although funding has always been a challenge, and it’s even more severe now, management has consistently worked diligently to secure resources and address our most pressing needs.”
On her part, the Executive Director, Human Resources and Corporate Services, Mrs. Afolabi Abiodun, announced that despite the funding challenges, the Human Resources division has successfully secured resources to complete the 2024 promotion exercise, demonstrating management’s commitment to employee development and career advancement.
She urged Regional Transmission Managers to foster close collaboration with union representatives in their regions, promoting a harmonious and cooperative relationship that facilitates the amicable resolution of all issues through diplomatic means
