By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced rehabilitation works on four vandalized towers along the Afam/IPP/Elelenwo 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line in Rivers State.
The affected towers, identified as T50, T51, T52 and T53, were discovered on August 6, 2026, by TCN linesmen during routine inspection.
Further assessment revealed that critical bracing members had been removed from the towers, thereby compromising their structural integrity and posing a risk to electricity transmission along the corridor.
TCN subsequently mobilized a contractor to the site to carry out urgent repairs, while the Port Harcourt Transmission Region formally handed over the project on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 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 TCN Management, called for greater community involvement in protecting transmission infrastructure.
Azuh urged residents of Elelenwo, traditional rulers and the Local Government Chairman to support the company’s efforts to combat vandalism and ensure the safety of the transmission facilities throughout the rehabilitation process.
He stressed that sustained community awareness and cooperation were essential to preventing further acts of vandalism and protecting critical power infrastructure.
TCN said it was aware of the risks that vandalism of transmission towers poses to reliable electricity supply and assured the public that it would make every effort to ensure the timely completion of the rehabilitation works.
The company also appealed to residents of Elelenwo and surrounding communities to remain vigilant and support efforts to safeguard transmission facilities, stressing that community cooperation was critical to ensuring reliable power transmission along the line.
