The Federal Government has disclosed that it has spent over N8.8 billion to repair and restore 128 transmission towers that were vandalized across the country. This information was shared by Engr. Suleiman Ahmed Abdulaziz, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transition Company of Nigeria (TCN), during the Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting held in Abuja.
Abdulaziz, in a statement released by Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, highlighted that between January 13, 2024, and the current date, 128 transmission towers have been destroyed due to acts of vandalism or banditry throughout Nigeria.
He expressed deep concern regarding the situation, noting that when vandals are apprehended and handed over to the police for prosecution, they often receive bail and return to continue their destructive activities. This cycle of vandalism poses significant challenges for the power sector.
“It is truly disheartening that each time the vandals are caught, they are charged with theft instead of vandalism, which allows them to be bailed out. If they were charged with vandalism, they would not be eligible for bail,” Abdulaziz remarked, emphasizing the need for stricter legal measures.
The situation escalated when the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna towers were damaged, prompting the company to secure full military escorts for their contractors to safely restore the transmission lines and towers. In some instances, they were permitted to work for only two hours on certain days due to security concerns.
Abdulaziz further lamented that there were occasions when they were advised it was unsafe to proceed with restoration efforts. He raised critical questions about how to overcome these obstacles and deliver electricity to Nigerians under such perilous conditions.
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These ongoing challenges reflect the broader issues facing the power sector in Nigeria, where the safety and security of infrastructure are increasingly compromised by criminal activities. The need for effective solutions is more urgent than ever.
In response to these challenges, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, stated that the federal government is actively collaborating with the World Bank and the African Development Bank (ADB) to ensure that 50 million Nigerians have access to electricity by the year 2030.
