The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Wednesday lamented that its Tower 70 along its 330kV Gwagwalade -Katampe Transmission line “has been vandalised with the tower standing precariously on the ground.”
TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said in a statement that “the sad incident occurred on the 26th of February, 2024, at about 11.32 pm. At the said time, the Gwagwalada – Katampe Transmission line tripped at Gwagwalada Transmission Substation and trial reclosure by TCN Operators failed, nessectating a physical patrol of the line.
“The TCN lines and patrol team discovered that the four (4) tower footings of Tower 70 were bombed, destroying the tower legs and causing the tower to stand on the ground, supported by conductors.
“The incident has reduced bulk power supply flexibility and the volume of power into Abuja by 250MW.”
Meanwhile, Mbah said that “TCN has mobilized to the site of the incident and has commenced an emergency repair of the damaged tower and its associated equipment.
“We reiterate the need for vigilance in the fight against vandalism of power equipment. It is important that we report suspicious movements around all power equipment to security operatives or to the nearest TCN offices nationwide.”
Mbah also announced that “the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has suffered an attack on its Owerri/Ahoada 132kV Towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 located at Elele, Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State by vandals on the 15th of February, 2024, with different accessories carted away.
“Among them specifically was Tower 208, an angle tower the vandals, which nearly led to the collapse of three more towers along the line route.”