Host communities have been urged to take ownership of power infrastructure to help curb the rising incidents of vandalism on its transmission towers.
The Regional Manager of the Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN, Port Harcourt Region, Mr Akpa Anyaegbunam, made the appeal during a sensitisation programme held for youths from Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas in Igbu Ehuda, Rivers State.
The appeal comes hours after the transmission company said it has contracted the services of three contractors to reconstruct three collapsed towers along the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi transmission line.
Anyaegbunam warned that the continued sabotage of national power infrastructure undermones not only local development but also, Nigeria’s broader socio-economic progress.
He explained that recent incidents, including the vandalism of 20 transmission towers along the Ahoada–Yenagoa line in July 2024, led to a total blackout in Bayelsa State for over four months, severely disrupting businesses and livelihoods.
Anyaegbunam added that the ongoing campaign across TCN’s Port Harcourt Region aims to raise awareness and promote community-led efforts in securing transmission infrastructure, encouraging the youths in Ahoada East and West to participate in the fight against vandalism.
He noted that while TCN was not accusing local youths of being directly involved, no outsider could destroy such infrastructure without some form of internal collaboration.
Anyaegbunam also cautioned that economic hardship should not be used to justify the destruction of national assets meant to improve the living standards of the people.
Speaking on behalf of the participating communities, a youth leader, Isaiah Sunday, declared support for the TCN’s efforts and called for the establishment of community surveillance teams.