TCN Restores Electricity to Bayelsa After Four-Month Blackout Caused by Vandalism
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully restored electricity to most parts of Bayelsa, ending a four-month blackout caused by the vandalism of key transmission towers. The Port Harcourt region, which covers Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, and Rivers states, made the announcement during a news conference on Monday.
Emmanuel Anyaegbulem, the General Manager of TCN’s Port Harcourt Region, explained that the blackout began on July 29 after criminals vandalized approximately 20 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132 Kilovolt (KV) electricity line. This particular line is the sole transmission source for Bayelsa state.
“The 132KV line is the only transmission line supplying electricity to Bayelsa state. The repairs to the collapsed towers were a major challenge, given that the blackout lasted from July 29 to November 30, when we successfully restored the lines,” Anyaegbulem said.
The restoration of power required substantial efforts and financial resources, with each tower costing around N13 million to construct. After the vandalism, the towers were left vulnerable to collapse, resulting in widespread power loss for the residents of Bayelsa.
“We are pleased to have rebuilt and restrung 20 damaged transmission towers after enduring a four-month period of hardship,” Anyaegbulem added.
