Owerri, Nigeria — The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has conducted a stakeholder sensitisation programme in Owerri, Imo State, aimed at strengthening the protection of power infrastructure, curbing vandalism, and promoting compliance with Right-of-Way (RoW) regulations.
The development was disclosed in a press statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah.
The engagement, held on June 25, brought together community leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders to address concerns over illegal activities such as soil excavation and encroachment around transmission towers.
Speaking at the event, the Assistant General Manager, Technical Services, Port Harcourt Region, Dr. Raymond Chika Ubani, described TCN as a critical link in Nigeria’s power supply chain.
“Simply speaking, we are like the trailer that carries manufactured goods from producers to warehouses, where distributors then take them for onward distribution,” he said, urging communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around transmission installations.
Also speaking, the Principal Manager, Owerri Work Centre, Engr. Nnaemeka Aninwe, warned residents against patronising scrap metal dealers involved in trading vandalised transmission components.
He further cautioned against using tower bases as refuse dumps, noting that waste accumulation can trigger chemical reactions that weaken tower structures and compromise their stability.
Aninwe emphasised the importance of observing statutory Right-of-Way limits, stating that a minimum clearance of 15 metres on both sides is required for 132kV transmission lines, while 330kV lines require 30 metres on both sides. He advised residents to verify safety zones before embarking on any construction near transmission lines.
Responding, the Deputy Chairman of Owerri Municipal Council, Hon. Lucky Abaraonye, assured TCN of the community’s commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure. He noted that the state government has strengthened grassroots security architecture across the area.
He disclosed that trained 15-man security teams, supported with vehicles, have been deployed across 21 autonomous communities to tackle vandalism and enhance surveillance.
At the end of the programme, over 100 participants pledged to collaborate with TCN and security agencies to protect electricity infrastructure within their communities.
