Vandals destroyed over 100 transmission towers in Kaduna – TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has sought stakeholders’ concerted efforts to curb incessant vandalism and encroaching within the transmission Right of Way, saying in 2024 alone, over a hundred transmission towers were vandalised within communities in Kaduna State.

In a town hall meeting organised by TCN at Jaji, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the General Manager Kaduna Region Engr. Ganiyu Aliyu, who was represented by the Assistant General Manager Technical Service, Engr Abubakar Usman, highlighted the dangers of building under high-tension installations and how the activities of vandals have caused tremendous set back towards the Federal Government’s goal of achieving uninterrupted power supply.

He said there is no way TCN can move forward if each time the company takes a step forward, the activities of vandals take it ten steps backwards, and urged traditional leaders to see themselves as custodians of these assets in their various communities and enlighten members of their communities on the ills of encroachment and vandalism.

He said TCN is concerned with the repeated destruction of transmission towers by vandals who cut, steal and sell transmission tower members to scrap metal dealers. He revealed that in 2024 alone, over a hundred transmission towers were vandalised within the areas of Rigachikun- Barakallahu- Kwarau- Birnin Yaro- jaji-kwanan Dangora. On the issue of encroachment on transmission Right of Way, he said people don’t know the level of health hazards they expose themselves to by building houses, schools or shops under these lines.

Also speaking at the town hall meeting, Principal Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, Kaduna Region, Ahmad Rufai Sani, explained the health hazards associated with building under transmission right of way and the challenges TCN faces as a company in terms of carrying out maintenance work as all the safe spaces have been encroached on. He said these high-tension installations carry high voltage over long distances that cause long-term health issues like leukaemia, stunted growth in children amongst others.

He added that in the event of a power cut, the high voltage lines can produce deadly sparks that will burn the houses along its routes, saying it is very important that the appropriate distance for transmission Right of Way be maintained.

He explained that a 50-meter distance be maintained for a 330kV line, a 30-meter distance for a 132kV and an 11-meter distance for a 33kV line.

While appreciating the efforts of TCN for reaching out to the community, the district head (Sarkin Jaji) Alhaji Adamu Saleh, said traditional leaders will continue to sensitize members of their communities on the dangers of building under high-tension installations. He said they also help security operatives by calling on their attention whenever they see any suspicious activities close to these facilities.

He advised TCN to collaborate with the Kaduna State Urban Planning Agency (KASUPDA) so that buildings under transmission towers will be halted before they even reach the advanced stage.

Also speaking at the event, the Commandant of the Armed Forces and Staff College Jaji(AFSC), Air Vice Marshal Hassan Idris Alhaji, who was ably represented by the Director of Logistics AFSC, Commodore Dickson Chigbata, said cutting tower members and selling to scrap merchants should not be called “vandalism” but “stealing”. He said it’s an act of theft and a huge criminal offence that should not be treated with laxity and pledged the Command’s support towards helping TCN fight the menace.

The ASP Jaji Police Command Kefas Liberty, said with the help of Kaduna state vigilante service and active community members they were able to make two arrests in June. He said the suspects have been charged to court and urged members of the community to intensify efforts in helping security operatives and be more vigilant.

Vanguard