The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has called on communities and security agencies to join forces in safeguarding its power installations from vandals.
Nasir Fada, Kaduna regional general manager of TCN, made the appeal during a sensitisation meeting held on Monday at the company’s Kaduna office.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, youth leaders, security personnel, and other stakeholders.
Fada said encroachment under transmission lines and the rising incidents of vandalism are major challenges facing the company.
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He said the meeting was in line with directives from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and TCN’s commitment to protecting its infrastructure.
“Community engagement and collaboration are crucial in curbing vandalism and ensuring steady electricity supply,” Fada said.
He urged community leaders to report vandals and those encroaching on power lines to the police for prompt arrest and prosecution.
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The TCN boss said the success of recent efforts to improve power supply, including the installation of new transformers and ongoing expansion projects, depends heavily on the active participation of host communities in protecting the assets.
“We are committed to delivering improved power supply, but this cannot be realised if our infrastructure is constantly under threat from vandals and illegal structures built under transmission lines,” he added.
During the meeting, heads of departments at TCN presented the dangers of encroachment on the right of way (RoW), explaining how unauthorised structures obstruct maintenance work and pose serious risks to residents living near high-voltage lines.
Stakeholders were also educated on safety measures to protect lives and property by maintaining safe distances from transmission corridors.
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They were warned that proximity to high-voltage equipment could result in electrocution, fires, and other life-threatening hazards.
Residents were encouraged to report any acts of vandalism or suspicious activities around transmission facilities to help safeguard the power infrastructure and ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply.
