By Jabiru Hassan
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Enugu Region, has sensitised communities hosting its power infrastructure in Ebonyi State on the need to protect transmission facilities and prevent vandalism.The campaign, held at Umuhuali, Ezillo and Nkalagu communities, focused on addressing vandalism, illegal structures along TCN’s Right of Way (RoW), and excavation activities around transmission tower bases.
Speaking during the exercise, General Manager (Transmission), Enugu Region, Dr. Thomas Inugonum, said the engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration between TCN and host communities.He highlighted key concerns, including the dangers of tampering with 330kV and 132kV high-voltage lines, farming or trading under transmission towers, burning waste near power facilities, and constructing buildings within restricted areas.
Inugonum recalled previous incidents involving vandalism of transmission infrastructure, including the electrocution of an alleged vandal while attempting to tamper with Tower 34 on the Nkalagu-Abakaliki 132kV line.
He also disclosed that community vigilance and security collaboration led to the arrest of two suspects accused of dismantling components from Towers T15, T16 and T17 along the same transmission line.The TCN official urged residents to report suspicious activities around power installations and work with security agencies to protect national assets.
The traditional ruler of Umuhuali Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Patrick Nwafor Udoku, pledged the community’s commitment to safeguarding TCN facilities. The President General of Ezza Umuhuali Town Union, Hon. Solomon Nweke, described attacks on power infrastructure as harmful to public safety and economic development, urging continued partnership between TCN and host communities.
