By Stella Odueme
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced rehabilitation works on four vandalised towers along the Afam/IPP/Elelenwo 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line in Rivers State.
The affected towers, identified as T50, T51, T52 and T53, were discovered on August 6, 2026, by TCN linesmen during routine inspection.
According to TCN, further assessment showed that critical bracing members had been removed from the four towers, thereby compromising their structural integrity and posing a risk to reliable electricity transmission along the corridor.
The company subsequently mobilised a contractor to the site to undertake the urgent rehabilitation works.
A formal handover ceremony was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, by the Port Harcourt Transmission Region to mark the commencement of the rehabilitation project.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Head of Lines, Port Harcourt Transmission Region, Engr. Azuh Lucky, who represented TCN Management, called for increased community support in protecting transmission infrastructure.
Azuh urged residents of Elelenwo, traditional rulers and the Local Government Chairman to collaborate with TCN in tackling vandalism as the rehabilitation works continue.
He stressed that sustained community awareness and cooperation were essential to preventing further attacks on transmission facilities.
TCN said it remained conscious of the threat posed by the vandalisation of the towers to reliable power transmission and assured that every effort would be made to complete the rehabilitation works on schedule.
The company also appealed to residents of Elelenwo and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around transmission facilities.
TCN said community cooperation would be critical to protecting the rehabilitated towers and ensuring reliable electricity transmission along the Afam/IPP/Elelenwo corridor.