News
Vandalism Major Cause Of Incessant Grid Collapse –TCN
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has identified vandalism as a major reason for the incessant national power grid collapses.
TCN’s General Manager, Benin Region, Charles Iwuamadi, stated this during a sensitisation programme at Umelu Community in Benin, Edo State, where he expressed worries over the illegal erection of structures under high-tension transmission lines.
He noted that vandalism of power facilities has increased by over 30 per cent in the last five years, leading to numerous grid collapses.
He warned residents against encroaching on the company’s right-of-way, exposing themselves to grave safety and health risks.
“Vandalism is directly proportional to the number of system collapses,” Iwuamadi said.
“A greater number of times when we have grid collapse, it is a result of vandalism. If not for the way we have been managing the system, the number of collapses would have doubled,” he added
The TCN boss explained that transmission towers and lines are national assets that form part of the interconnected grid, moving power from one part of the country to another.
According to him, when a single line is vandalised, the entire network linked to it is destabilised, leading to nationwide outages.
Residing under transmission towers, Iwuamadi noted, exposes people to high radiation, health hazards, and the danger of instant death if a line snaps and drops.
“Human beings and structures cannot withstand the impact of a 330kV line. It is not only illegal but deadly,” he cautioned.
While noting that demolition of marked structures remained a last resort, Iwuamadi said TCN prefers community sensitisation over arrests and punitive measures.
He commended the Umelu community for being one of the most peaceful along the 131-kilometre Benin–Onitsha transmission line, urging the residents to sustain their cooperation.
He said the sensitisation programme was part of a nationwide campaign by TCN to reduce vandalism, protect the national grid, and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.
Head of Critical National Assets Unit, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, Deputy Commandant Suleiman Mohammed, also spoke at the event, saying communities have a duty to safeguard government infrastructure.