TCN restores bulk power to Bayelsa after 4-month of total outage
…erects 20 new towers after 3 coordinated attacks on Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line in 2024
… to set up community task force in Bayelsa, Rivers states to enhance security of power equipment
Oredola Adeola
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced the restoration of bulk power supply to Bayelsa after nearly four months of total outage, following the successful reconstruction of 20 collapsed towers and restringing of vandalized conductors on the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV transmission line.
This comes after a series of devastating attacks in 2024, including three major incidents on July 29, August 12, and November 19, which destroyed 23 transmission towers and significant disruption to the state’s power supply.
Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, made this known in a statement obtained by Advisors Reports on Tuesday.
According to her, the restoration of the bulk power supply through the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV transmission line happened at 8:03 am on November 30, 2024.
She stated that the final inspection of work done, was conducted on November 28, 2024, by a team of TCN engineers, led by the Port Harcourt Region General Manager, Engr. Emmanuel Akpa.
Mbah said, “The team verified the integrity of the 20 newly erected towers (Nos. 48–64 and 97–99) that were destroyed in a series of vandalism incidents on July 29 and August 12, 2024. After confirming that all work met required standards, the line was cleared for energization.
The TCN’s spokesperson emphasised that discussions are underway with stakeholders in Bayelsa and Rivers States to implement a comprehensive community engagement programme.
This initiative, according to her, seeks to educate local communities traversed by the transmission line on the consequences of vandalism and theft of power infrastructure.
Mbah said, “Additionally, the programme will involve appointing community representatives to oversee the security of power equipment in their areas.
“This approach aims to foster a sense of local ownership and accountability for the infrastructure.
“These efforts are part of broader measures to prevent future incidents of large-scale vandalism, which left Bayelsa State in total blackout since July 29, 2024.
“The economic losses incurred by residents, as well as the significant financial burden on TCN to restore the towers, have been substantial, ” Mbah lamented.
TCN therefore appealed to the public to support the nationwide campaign against the vandalism of power infrastructure.
“Collective action is essential to safeguarding the country’s electricity assets for sustainable development, “Mbah said.
Advisors Reports gathered that Bayelsa state residents have been grappling with repeated vandalism incidents targeting TCN’s Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV transmission line in Bayelsa State.
Checks showed that the vandals struck the line on November 19, making it the third time in 2024, damaging transmission towers 29 to 31 and stealing one-third of the 250mm conductors.
This incident followed a series of devastating attacks, including the destruction of towers T97 to T99 on July 29 and the collapse of 13 towers between T52 and T64 on August 12.
These attacks severely disrupted the power supply to Bayelsa, including essential facilities like the Yenagoa Substation and Gbarain Power Station.
Advisors Reports gathered that despite the successful restoration of power and completion of repairs, concerns remain over the potential for future acts of vandalism.