The Transmission Company of Nigeria says vandalism and illegal buildings under power lines fuel grid collapses.
Officials warned such actions threaten lives, damage infrastructure, and trigger costly nationwide blackouts.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has identified vandalism and illegal construction under power lines as significant factors contributing to the recurring collapses of the national grid.
Charles Iwuamadi, the General Manager of TCN Benin Region, shared this information during a sensitization program in the Umelu community of Edo State. He revealed that incidents of vandalism targeting transmission towers and lines have increased by more than 30 percent in the past five years. Iwuamadi emphasized that the destruction of even a single line can destabilize the interconnected grid and often result in nationwide blackouts.
He cautioned residents against constructing buildings beneath high-tension lines, warning that such encroachments pose severe health hazards, radiation risks, and potential electrocution in the event of line failure. While acknowledging that the demolition of illegal structures is typically a last resort, he stressed that the company prioritizes public awareness over enforcement.
Iwuamadi commended the residents of Umelu for their cooperation as a host community along the 131-kilometer Benin-Onitsha transmission line.
Additionally, Suleiman Mohammed, the Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, encouraged communities to protect national infrastructure. He lamented that funds intended for development are often redirected to cover the costs of repeated repairs caused by vandalism.
In response, residents called for timely upgrades, regular clearing of transmission corridors, and improved surveillance. This sensitization initiative is part of TCN nationwide campaign to protect the national grid and enhance the reliability of electricity supply.
