Destruction of Transmission Towers Causes Severe Power Shortages in Bayelsa State

Two crucial transmission towers, T98 and T99, located along the Ahoada/Yenagoa 132kV line in the Bayelsa State hamlet of Igbooghene, have been destroyed, according to a report from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). There have been severe power shortages throughout the area as a result of the incident, which has been blamed on vandalism.

TCN's General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, made this declaration in a statement that was made public on Friday. According to Mbah, the tower collapse has caused a disruption in the power supply for the whole state of Bayelsa, impacting vital facilities including the Gbarain Power Station and TCN's Yenagoa Sub-station.

"Currently, Yenagoa Metropolis and the entire Bayelsa are without power supply," Mbah stated.

In response to the incident, TCN engineers, led by Mr. Emmanuel Akpa, General Manager of Transmission for the Port Harcourt Region, have inspected the site along with operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS).

"Plans are already underway to mobilize a contractor on an emergency basis to reconstruct the collapsed towers," Mbah assured.

This act of vandalism comes after a similar occurrence on June 16, when someone was observed damaging tower T238 along the 132kV double-circuit transmission cables between Ahoada and Owerri. Furthermore, there was yet another act of vandalism at the Ahoada Transmission Substation on June 10.

The public has been urged by the TCN to assist in the battle against electrical infrastructure vandalism. In order to resolve the issue, the corporation highlighted its continued cooperation with local communities and security personnel, such as the Civil Defence Corps and the DSS.

"We are also engaging with stakeholders and security operatives in Yenagoa to implement initiatives aimed at curtailing this menace within the state," Mbah added.

The TCN emphasised the wider ramifications of this type of vandalism, pointing out that the nation's power sector's growth and efficiency are hampered by the ongoing diversion of funds intended for infrastructure expansion to replace vandalised equipment.

"As we strive to develop a robust grid, it is crucial to understand that a nation's power sector cannot thrive efficiently if resources intended for expansion are persistently diverted to address vandalism," Mbah concluded.