News

TCN Reports 86 Towers Vandalism In 2024, 26 Completely Destroyed

Published

2 months ago

June 20, 2025

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reports that 86 towers were vandalised in 2024, with 26 completely brought down.Mr Ali Sharifa, General Manager of Transmission Service at TCN, disclosed this yesterday, in Keffi during a presentation on infrastructure vandalism at a workshop organised for Power Correspondents.

According to him, year 2024 and 2025 have been the most trying time for TCN as a responsive public utility due to vandalism of its transmission line infrastructure by the non-state actors.

”A total of 86 towers were vandalised in 2024 with 26 towers completely down, which put affected states to total darkness.

“These vandalism span across Abuja, Bauchi, Enugu, Shiroro, Kano and Port-Harcourt Regions.

”While in the first and second quarters of 2025 a total of 42 act of vandalism were recorded affecting a total of 178 towers,”he said.

He said that beside the activities of vandals, natural disaster also hindered the free flow of electricity to the grid as TCN recently recorded along Kainji-Birnin Kebbi 330kV SC (International)line.

” Where six towers T306, 1307, T308, T365, T366 and 1367 collapsed in May due to wind-storm and torrential rainfall.

”In the same May, Apir-Lafia-Jos 330kV DC Line Tower T137 had a twist (partial collapse) due to wind-storm and torrential rainfall, ”he said.

Sharifa said that sabotage, political and economic reasons were responsible for theses acts of vandalism.

He listed the the effect of TCN’s infrastructure vandalism to include

disruption of power supply across the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry , as the generated power from generation station could not be wheeled to the distribution ends.

“Other effects of vandalism include the increment of significant costs by the company due to repairs, replacement and need for increased security measures to address vandalism.

”The company’s grid expansion efforts is hindered by act of vandalism to pay contractor’s invoices used on repairs.

”And there is also the concern with public safety whenever transmission infrastructure is vandalised,”he said.

He, however, said that the company was

reaching out to locals where the transmission lines were prone to vandalism, adding that they were also

engaging with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) after the series of vandalism in 2024,

” TCN reached out to ONSA for the protection of vulnerable transmission lines against vandalism.

” Some critical lines have been selected as pilot scheme for which state- of- art technology will be deployed to monitor and deter future vandalism.

” Sensitisation and sponsored programmes, jingles on both social and print media including radio and television stations against vandalism of TCN assets is reaching far and wide as Nigerians are now fully informed that TCN property is their property,”he said.

Sharifa said that sensitisation had led to the arrest of vandals who were now facing prosecution.

News

CHURCH RENDERS FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH, OTHERS TO HOST COMMUNITIES

Published

34 minutes ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Some communities in Rivers State enjoyed significantly the All African Service Project (AASP) by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, humanitarian services in their Church’s stakes and districts in Nigeria.

The humanitarian services which was held on the 16th August this year is an annual event usually carried out by members of the church to assist their host communities at different locations of the church every year in Africa.

In Port Harcourt Nigeria, Port Harcourt South Stake, this year they did Zebra crossing in Borikiri, precisely at UPE junction, this is to drastically reduce accident.

In Bundu Ama, still in Port Harcourt South Stake, there was a massive turnout, as the church offered free medical test and provided free drugs for those that have malaria, High Blood Pressure and illnesses that was discovered.

They equally carried out free eye test and gave out glasses for those that also have eye problems.

In the process of the testing woman, named Mrs Anthonia Marshall, was perceived to have breast cancer , which the church was contemplating to refer her to hospital and ready to bear the cost if actually it was a breast cancer.

Apart from that, the Church further provided school uniforms and books for primary school children in Bundu Ama community.

Comprehensively over 300 persons benefitted from the free medical outreach.

Speaking, the President of Port Harcourt South Stake, Williams Igoniye, explained that Helping Hand is an initiative of the Church go West Africa Project where they provide services for host community.

” This is purely a humanitarian services rendered to our host communities all over West Africa, mostly where the church is located.

” This year in Port Harcourt South Stake, we able to carried out designing of Zebra crossing at UPE junction Borikiri, with the view to reduce accident and safety of human beings.

” We also carried out free medical outreach at Bundu Ama. My happiness was that people came out to take advantage of the services , as I speak to you over 300 persons benefitted from it.

Also, speaking, during the construction of the zebra crossing, a resident, Mr. Edet Okon, commended the church for job well done.

According to him, the zebra crossing will afford the elderly and children to cross the road safely, hence that road was one of the most busiest roads.

” I am really happy that church is carrying out such an important project that will help people living within the area.

” I will suggest that government train drivers on how drive on areas where there are zebra crossing”, Okon said.

The Community Development Committee (CDC chairman in Bundu Ama, Frank Oba, expressed joy over the services rendered by the Church and called on other churches and organisations to emulate them.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

Tinubu Hails By-Election Winners In 12 States, Commends INEC

Published

54 minutes ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated all the winners of Saturday, August 16, by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence.

Following the results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won in one.

President Tinubu congratulated the new APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, for the emphatic first victory recorded under his leadership.

He also congratulated the APC governors and other leaders on the success of the by-elections.

“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” the President remarks.

“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” he said.

President Tinubu commended all the political parties and candidates who participated in the election and enjoined them to continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.

News

RSG To Establish Emergency Management Agency

Published

54 minutes ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has disclosed its plan to establish the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency, which will take over the responsibilities of the Central Working Committee on Emergency Preparedness, Flood Management and Control.

The State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), revealed this during a sensitisation campaign of the Central Working Committee on Flood Management and Control at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, last Friday.

He explained that the government is engaging the Federal Government and international partners to mobilise resources for improved flood management systems, covering pre-flood measures, interventions during flooding, and post-flood recovery projects, as well as early warning infrastructure.

Ibas, in a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, last Friday, said the initiative forms part of the state’s proactive strategy to mitigate flooding through awareness, prevention, preparedness, and community participation.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, the Administrator urged the committee to go beyond responding to disasters and instead anticipate vulnerable areas, reduce the impact of flooding, and equip residents with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves.

He added that the State is enforcing environmental laws to curb indiscriminate refuse disposal, illegal dumping, and construction on flood plains, which worsen flooding incidents.

According to him, effective flood management requires collaboration between the public sector, local communities, civil society, and the private sector, as government alone cannot tackle the challenge.