TCN: FG spent N88bn on repair of vandalised facilities in four years

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the federal government spent N88 billion on repairing and restoring power facilities vandalised across the country from 2021 to date.

Seyi Onabajo, TCN’s principal manager (lines) for the Lagos region, spoke during a one-day sensitisation programme at the Odogunyan 132 kilovolt (kV) transmission substation, Ikorodu, Lagos.

“We know what the company is losing,” he said.

“All the money that we have contributed to the government that was supposed to be used for rebuilding this place, instead, we are using it for maintenance.

“Record has it that, between 2021 and the present date, the government has spent over N88 billion just on repairs against this vandalism, which is alarming.

“We all are clamouring for a 24/7 supply of light, that’s why we are also concerned about making sure that all communities are being lit up.

“If we are spending so much on repairs, how do we achieve the aim of TCN for the community?”

The principal manager called on community members to join hands in rebuilding “the mission to become a better place”.

Onabajo noted that vandalism is a deliberate act, describing it as “when you disrupt and tamper with our transmission structures just for self-gain”.

Highlighting the dangers of vandalism, Mojeed Akintola, TCN’s general manager in Lagos, said the delay in repairs also negatively affects communities.

He said an incident of vandalism costs the agency millions of naira.

“Once a tower is vandalised, the downtime is always on the high side because you have to bring down the remaining one, then you start afresh. So, if you estimate that it’s running to either two, three, or four months,” Akintola said.

“When the one at Abeokuta was vandalised, apart from the alternative source that we did, which took us four days, the repair of the 10 towers vandalised took three months.

“On that particular line, TCN spent N1 million per day. If you now estimate that to three months, you know how much that will be.”

Akintola asked members of the communities, security agencies, steel companies, and the general public to support the TCN in the fight against vandalism.