The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has expressed deep frustration over the constant vandalism of the company’s power infrastructure in some communities in the Southeast region.

The General Manager(Transmission), Enugu Region, Dr. Thomas Inugonum, who raised the concerns when he led the management and staff of the company on sensitisation of seven communities in Agbogugu and Ihe towns in Awgu local government area of Enugu State at the weekend, described the incessant vandalism as a major challenge undermining TCN operations.

Addressing the leaders of the communities in separate gatherings, Inugonum emphasized the importance of youths in the fight against vandalism. 

He expressed worries that electricity distribution companies had been using vandalism as an excuse for the poor distribution of power to many communities, saying the development was the main reason the company sought the assistance of the communities in protecting transmission lines, towers and other power infrastructure.

He lamented that the delay in supplying power was now giving hoodlums opportunities to vandalise power infrastructure in the forests.

“It’s because of this vandalism that we’re here to beg you to talk to the youths to help protect this infrastructure so that whenever you don’t have electricity, you know the people that are responsible for that. 

“I say this because we always have 24/7 electricity in our transmission stations, waiting for the DISCOs to distribute them to your homes. But they always attribute their failures to vandalisd power infrastructure,” he said.

He stated that vandalism was the greatest challenge in Nigeria’s power sector, saying, “traditional rulers, town union presidents, youth leaders, vigilante operatives and the members of the communities are critical stakeholders that will help in curbing the menace.

“This trend is dangerous, if we continue like this, I am afraid, electricity cannot be sustainable. Other countries are progressing positively but we are progressing backwards”.

The GMT listed the consequences of vandalism to include interrupted power supply, huge losses, and other associated damages, charging all patriotic citizens to protect these facilities.

He also explained that the right of way for high voltage power lines were 25 meters left and 25 meters right, adding that it was dangerous to farm or build on the right of way of the transmission lines.

According to him, people encroaching the company’s right of way may suffer electrocution, fire hazards, and structural collapse, leading to deaths and loss of properties.

The communities visited included Akanwu, Eziama, Obom and Obodoakpu, all in Agbogugu town as well as Enuguoke, Enuguato and Enuguechi all in Ihe town.

The leaders of all the communities visited declared their support for the campaign, and vowed to continue to play their own role of protecting the government infrastructure.

The traditional ruler of Obom Agbogugu HRH Igwe Sunday Orji and the president of Ihe clan, Engr. Solomon Anichukwu, promised to direct their vigilante group to mount surveillance on the infrastructure passing through their towns.

They appealed to the company to always carry their youths along and treat them as they treat other communities.

The communities also appealed to TCN to always prevail on the security operatives to ensure prosecution of suspected vandals, and avoid the temptation of granting them bail only for them to return back to the community to become a terror on the people that reported them.