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….With Over 100 Stakeholders Pledging to Protect Electricity Transmission Infrastructure in Owerri

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has intensified efforts to safeguard the nation’s power infrastructure by sensitising host communities in Owerri on the dangers of vandalism, illegal excavation around transmission towers and violations of statutory Right-of-Way (RoW) regulations.

The sensitisation programme, held on June 25, 2026, brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders in Owerri, Imo State, as part of TCN’s strategy to strengthen the security of critical national electricity infrastructure.

Speaking during the event, the Assistant General Manager, Technical Services, Port Harcourt Region, Dr. Raymond Chika Ubani, described TCN as the vital link in Nigeria’s electricity value chain, responsible for transmitting bulk power from generation companies to distribution companies.

Explaining TCN’s role in simple terms, Dr. Ubani said, “Simply speaking, we are like the trailer that goes to a company to carry manufactured goods to a warehouse where distributors then come to take the goods for distribution.”

He stressed that the protection of transmission infrastructure requires collective responsibility and urged traditional rulers and youth groups to become active custodians of electricity facilities within their communities.

According to him, constant vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities around transmission installations are essential to curbing the rising cases of vandalism and protecting the stability of the national grid.

Also speaking, the Principal Manager of the Owerri Work Centre, Engr. Nnaemeka Aninwe, warned residents against patronising scrap metal dealers who purchase vandalised tower components, describing the practice as a major threat to the nation’s electricity infrastructure.

He further cautioned communities against using the bases of transmission towers as refuse dumps, noting that waste accumulation can trigger corrosive chemical reactions capable of weakening tower members and compromising the integrity of tower legs.

Engr. Aninwe also advised residents and developers to verify safety zones before embarking on any construction projects near transmission lines and towers.

He reiterated that the statutory Right-of-Way for transmission infrastructure requires a clearance of 15 metres on both sides of 132kV transmission lines and 30 metres on both sides of 330kV transmission lines.

Responding on behalf of the host communities, the Deputy Chairman of the Owerri Municipal Council, Hon. Lucky Abaraonye, assured TCN of the council’s commitment to protecting electricity infrastructure through a robust grassroots security architecture.

He disclosed that the Imo State Government has, over the past six years, deployed trained 15-man security teams equipped with operational vehicles across the 21 autonomous communities in the area to combat vandalism and other security threats.

The sensitisation programme ended with a strong commitment from participants, as more than 100 stakeholders pledged to collaborate with TCN and security agencies in protecting transmission installations within their communities.

The initiative underscores TCN’s growing campaign to strengthen community participation in safeguarding critical national assets, amid increasing concerns over infrastructure vandalism and its impact on electricity supply across Nigeria.