The Port Harcourt Region oversees electricity transmission in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, and Rivers states.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has restored electricity to major parts of Bayelsa State, ending a four-month blackout caused by severe vandalism of transmission infrastructure.
Emmanuel Anyaegbulem, General Manager of TCN’s Port Harcourt Region, announced the development on Monday during a press briefing in Port Harcourt.
The Port Harcourt Region oversees electricity transmission in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, and Rivers states.
Anyaegbulem disclosed that the blackout began on July 29 when criminals vandalised 20 transmission towers along the critical Ahoada-Yenagoa 132-kilovolt (KV) line—the sole power supply line to Bayelsa.
“The 132KV line is the only transmission line supplying electricity to Bayelsa State. Repairing the collapsed towers posed a significant challenge, but we successfully restored the lines on November 30,” he stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Anyaegbulam revealed it costs about N13million to construct a single transmission tower
“Once vandals cut off the brackets supporting a tower, the structure becomes vulnerable to even the slightest breeze.
“Following the vandalism, a tower collapsed, triggering the failure of about 20 other transmission towers between Ahoada in Rivers State and Yenagoa in Bayelsa State.
“We are pleased to have reconstructed and restrung the 20 damaged 132KV towers after four months of hardship endured by the affected residents,” he stated.
He also disclosed that police officers assigned to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) arrested around 10 suspects in 2024 for vandalising the company’s facilities in the region.
However, among the suspects, four have been convicted, while six remain in police custody.
Despite the setbacks, the general manager highlighted several milestones achieved by the company in the outgoing year.
“These include the installation of a 100 Megavolt-Amperes (MVA) power transmission transformer at the Port Harcourt main transmission substation and the rehabilitation of the 132/33KV switchyard.
“We also received a 150MVA 330/33KV power transformer at TCN’s Adjabo transmission substation within the Port Harcourt main transmission substation.
“Additionally, the Itu 132/33KV transmission substation was upgraded with a 60MVA transformer, three outgoing feeders, digital control panels, circuit breakers, and isolators, among other enhancements,” he said.
Anyaegbulam reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supplying electricity to Distribution Companies (DisCos) to ensure uninterrupted power delivery to customers.