…Says N8.8bn spent on fixing vandalised transmission towers
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has lamented that the Nigeria Police Force is not charging vandals for the actual crimes they commit.
This is as the TCN disclosed that it has spent approximately N8.8 billion to repair 128 vandalised transmission towers across the country.
Speaking at the Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting in Abuja, the Managing Director of TCN, Suleiman Abdulaziz represented by Olugbenga Ajiboye, TCN’s executive director for transmission services, Abdulaziz revealed that these towers, destroyed by vandals or bandits, have been restored to functional use despite significant challenges.
He lamented the ineffectiveness of prosecuting offenders, noting that many are often released on bail and return to vandalise infrastructure.
“As I talk to you today, 128 of our towers have been destroyed by either vandals or bandits. Till date, we have spent about N8.8 billion, by our estimation, to put them back to full and functional use.
“It is so sad that each time the vandals were caught and taken to police for prosecution, police would incident them for theft, instead of vandalism and they would be bailed. If they are charged for vandalism, they cannot be bailed, but this is where we are. So many of them have been arrested, but each time they will be bailed because police often incident their cases as that of theft.”
“When the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna towers were destroyed, we had to rely on full military escorts for our contractors to restore the lines. In some cases, contractors were only permitted to work for two hours a day, while in others, they were advised that the area was unsafe.
“How do we deliver electricity to Nigerians under such circumstances?” Abdulaziz queried.
Meanwhile, Minister of Power, Oloye Adebayo Adelabu in a statement by his Media aide, Bolaji Tunji announced a partnership with the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to provide electricity access to 50 million Nigerians by 2030.
Represented by his Chief technical adviser, Adedayo Olowoniyi, Adelabu said the initiative forms part of the ‘Mission 300’ project, which aims to deliver electricity to 300 million Africans and 50 million Nigerians will benefit from it.
“Nigeria has a large population without electricity, and this is a great opportunity for us to be part of this process. The Compact document will be signed by our president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in Tanzania in January 2025,” Adelabu stated.
He explained that the power ministry has collaborated with the finance ministry, the World Bank, and AfDB to develop the initiative, which will rely on both public and private sector participation.
“We will implement this through solar systems, mini and microgrids, and grid extension and connection,” the minister said, adding that “grid extension may not be feasible for all regions due to funding constraints and limited commercial viability.”
“However, this does not mean we will neglect these areas. Delivering electricity is their right and a key dividend of democracy. We will start with home solar systems in regions where the grid may not be practical,” he noted.