TCN Repairs Vandalised 132kV Towers, Warns of Threat to Power Transmission
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced urgent rehabilitation of four vandalised towers along the Afam/IPP/Elelenwo 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line in Rivers State, warning that attacks on critical power infrastructure pose a serious threat to reliable electricity transmission.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria on September 9, 2026, following the commencement of rehabilitation works on towers T50, T51, T52 and T53 along the transmission corridor.
According to TCN, its linesmen detected the affected towers on August 6, 2026, during routine inspection, after which further assessment revealed that critical bracing members had been removed from the structures.
The company said the removal of the structural components had compromised the integrity of all four towers, necessitating immediate intervention to prevent further deterioration and safeguard the transmission line.
TCN said it subsequently mobilised a contractor to the site to undertake the repairs, while a formal handover ceremony was conducted by the Port Harcourt Transmission Region on Tuesday, September 8, to mark the commencement of the rehabilitation works.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Head of Lines, Port Harcourt Transmission Region, Engr. Azuh Lucky, who represented the TCN Management, stressed the importance of community participation in protecting electricity transmission infrastructure.
He called on residents of Elelenwo, traditional rulers and the relevant Local Government Chairman to support the company in its efforts to prevent further vandalism while the rehabilitation work continues.
“We are mindful of the risk that vandalism of these towers poses to reliable transmission of electricity along the corridor,” Azuh said.
He added that TCN would do everything within its capacity to ensure the timely completion of the rehabilitation works.
The company emphasised that sustained community awareness, vigilance and cooperation were essential to preventing renewed attacks on the rehabilitated infrastructure.
TCN therefore appealed to residents of Elelenwo and neighbouring communities to support the ongoing repairs and promptly report suspicious activities around transmission facilities.
It stressed that protecting the transmission infrastructure was a collective responsibility, noting that community cooperation would be critical to safeguarding the rehabilitated towers and ensuring reliable power transmission along the corridor.
