Since 2019, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has voiced concerns about the widespread neglect and strangulation of 21 electricity plants in the southeast.
TCN blames some host towns’ actions for the abandonment.
This information was given during a news conference in Enugu by Emmanuel Akpa, the General Manager (Transmission) of the Enugu Region. He took reporters on an inspection of a few of the projects before the briefing.
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These projects, which were started in 2019 with the goal of improving the region’s power supply, are located in a number of places, including Arochukwu, Okigwe, Nnewi, Enugu, Nsukka, Orlu, Nineth Mile, and Nike in Enugu.
While similar projects in other parts of the country have been successfully completed, Akpa expressed dismay that those slated for the Southeast have run into obstacles despite having paid the host communities the necessary compensations. These obstacles include acts of sabotage and legal disputes.
“This is very disturbing because these contracts have been completed in other zones. These contracts were awarded to take the 132KVA to some places to boost economic activities since 2009.
“There are power stations where work has been abandoned due to litigation and contests over land. These projects were conceived to galvanize business in those areas. The government paid for the way lift, but from there till now, the projects have not been completed because of the selfish demands of our people. Even the ones built are now being vandalized.
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“The 21 projects have been abandoned in the Southeast. They are abandoned because of litigations, and every time they are in court, they will strangulate the projects. Certain projects of the federal government are being killed by some Igbo for their selfish reasons and this is affecting the setting up of substations in the region”, he said.
Akpa urged people in the Southeast to see electricity projects favourably, highlighting the area’s potential for economic development.
He outlined the difficulties the company faces, such as buildings that intrude on TCN right-of-ways and unpermitted excavation surrounding tower bases, especially in regions like Centenary Avenue, Goshen Estate, and New Artisan Market in the state capital.
In addition, he warned of the dangers of building beneath the 330 KVA lines, emphasising that radiation from the lines might be extremely dangerous and possibly fatal. In order to address these issues and guarantee the smooth completion of important power projects in the South East, Akpa called for collaboration.
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“This is aside from the issue of snapping. When it snaps, it causes great damage. We have been telling our people about the dangers of building under the power line, but nobody cares.
“The federal government has stipulated the distance that should be maintained before setting up any building, which is 25 meters, but they are not ready to comply with it”.
The General Manager brought up New Artisan and Ugwuaji in Enugu State, citing cases where locals continue to build beneath 330KVA lines in spite of numerous warnings.
Nonetheless, Akpa stressed that the Federal Government is still dedicated to the continuous modernization of substations in spite of these difficulties.
“New Haven substation, for example, which used to have a capacity of 300MW, is currently being upgraded to 600 MW capacity.
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“Ugwuaji, Nkalagu, Abakalliki, Oji River and the new 2x60MVA 132/33KV substation at 9th Mile Corner.
“In Onitsha sub region, capacity up-grade had been affected both in Nibo and Agu-Awka substations. The same things are applicable in Apir sub-region with Transformer capacity up-grade at Makurdi, Otukpo and Yandev”, Akpa explained.
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