TCN Sensitises Stakeholders On Vandalism, Right-Of-Way Encroachment

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has intensified efforts to safeguard critical power infrastructure with a stakeholder sensitisation programme in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, on the dangers of encroachment on transmission rights-of-way and vandalism of electricity facilities.

The programme on Friday in Birnin Kebbi brought together representatives of host communities, traditional institutions, youth groups, security agencies, relevant government establishments, and the media to strengthen collaboration to protect transmission facilities and ensure reliable electricity transmission.

The sensitization was organised in line with directives from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and was part of TCN’s broader efforts to educate the public on the risks associated with building under high-voltage transmission lines and the economic and operational consequences of vandalising critical power infrastructure.

Welcoming participants, the assistant general manager, TCN Birnin Kebbi Sub-Region, Engr Hassan Mustapha Aleiro, stressed the importance of community participation in protecting electricity infrastructure and sustaining improvements in power transmission.

He noted that TCN had installed new transformers in several locations and was executing expansion and upgrade projects to strengthen the transmission network, but cautioned that the benefits of the investments could be undermined if vandalism and encroachment persisted.

“We have installed new transformers in several locations and are executing multiple expansion and upgrade projects. But all these will be in vain if vandalism and encroachment continue unchecked,” he said.

Aleiro warned that constructing buildings and other structures within transmission line rights-of-way poses serious safety risks, restricts access for maintenance and exposes residents to life-threatening electrical hazards. He urged community leaders and residents to respect designated transmission corridors and report suspicious activities around TCN installations promptly.

Technical presentations by officials from TCN’s Systems Operations, Lines and Electrical departments highlighted the operational implications of encroachment and vandalism, including damage to transmission infrastructure, interruption of electricity supply and delays in restoring affected facilities.

The presentations also underscored the need to preserve transmission line corridors to enable personnel to carry out inspection, maintenance and emergency repairs safely and efficiently.

The Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) department educated participants on the dangers of living or carrying out activities close to high-voltage facilities, including electrocution, electrical accidents and fire outbreaks that could lead to severe injuries, loss of lives and damage to property.

The programme also provided opportunity for security agencies and other stakeholders to reaffirm the importance of collective action in preventing attacks on electricity infrastructure.

Among dignitaries at the event were the general manager of Kebbi Urban Development Agency (KUDA), Alhaji Aminu Umar; the Police Public Relations Officer and spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman; SD Saidu A. Rumu of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); and DC Lawal Muhammed Augie of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Kebbi State.

A key component of the exercise was the distribution of TCN contact hotlines to enable members of the public to report suspected vandalism, suspicious movements and other activities that could threaten transmission installations.

The initiative is expected to strengthen information-sharing between host communities, security agencies and TCN, thereby facilitating timely response to potential threats.

TCN reiterated that the protection of electricity infrastructure is a shared responsibility requiring active participation of individuals, communities, traditional institutions and security agencies.

The company urged residents to remain vigilant, refrain from activities that could compromise safety of transmission installations and promptly report suspected cases of vandalism or encroachment through appropriate channels.

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