By Newsmata
Bayelsa and parts of Rivers States have been plunged into darkness following the vandalism of four towers of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV Double Circuit line.
In a statement on Thursday, TCN General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, confirmed that towers T171 to T174 collapsed due to the attack which occurred around 6:23 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11. Mbah explained that the discovery was made after a failed trial reclosure prompted a patrol of the area.
According to the statement, TCN’s investigation confirmed that the collapse resulted from vandalism, adding, “This incident has disrupted power supply to the Ahoada, Gbarain, and Yenagoa 132kV transmission substations, affecting some parts of Rivers State and the entire Bayelsa State”.
A team of TCN engineers, led by the General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, Engr. Emmanuel Apka, Mbah said, has visited the site to assess the damage.
Mbah said, “Efforts are underway to mobilise personnel and materials for the repair of the vandalised towers to restore bulk power supply to the affected areas”.
Condemning the attack, Mbah emphasised that vandalism had continued to undermine the company’s efforts to build a reliable transmission grid, and enjoined host communities to support the fight against power infrastructure vandalism.