TCN: Vandalism, Insecurity Threats to Our Operations in Port Harcourt Region

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The General Manager, Port Harcourt region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr Thomas Inugonum, has lamented that vandalism of transmission lines were threatening the smooth operation of the company in the region.

The Port Harcourt region of the transmission company covers communities in Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Speaking with Journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Inugonum stressed that most transmission lines within communities in Calabar and Port Harcourt had been vandalised, adding that the company had suffered series of attacks from local thieves.

To ensure that the situation improves, the TCN official called on the federal government to deploy more security personnel to protect the government infrastructure, noting the disastrous risk of tampering with such high tension facilities by hoodlums.

“The transmission sector is a very important sector that without it there is nothing you can do in power. Therefore, it is my own view that the press should help us to create the awareness about keeping this transmission line safe at all times.

“Many times we have suffered from people attacking the transmission lines, destroying it, removing parts of the towers, making us not to have the transportation done easily.
“I have always advocated we need security agencies to protect the government infrastructure. It is not something we are going to do alone.
“It means sending some military men to our stations so that they can monitor the facilities. There are some of our stations, they have already cut the earth conductors for big transformers that cost almost N800,000. And when these conductors are severed, technically that machine is floating and it can go into flames anytime,” he said.

Speaking on the ongoing development in the region, the Assistant General Manager, Port Harcourt Sub Region, Mr Ben Ezemobi, said the company is presently operating with about 400 megawatts transformers to boost efficient power supply around Rivers State.
He expressed the belief that with 500mw, Rivers State will have improved power supply.