The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced on Tuesday the restoration of bulk power supply to Bayelsa State through the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV transmission line, ending months of total blackout in affected areas.
It was gathered that residents in parts of Yenagoa, including Opolo, Okutukutu, and the Road Safety area, reported the return of electricity.
Some residents of Yenagoa have expressed optimism about the restoration of power in their areas, despite delays.
A resident of Saptex Street in Yenizuepie community, identified simply as John, said he had heard about the restoration of power in some areas, including Opolo, Express Side, and FMC. Although his area was yet to be connected, he remained hopeful.
"I haven't seen any signs of it yet, but since other areas have been restored, there's hope," John said.
A woman from the Ekeki area confirmed that power had been restored in some parts of the city but was yet to reach her neighborhood.
These residents are eagerly awaiting the extension of power restoration to their areas as work continues.
According to TCN, The power supply was restored at 8:03 a.m. on November 30, following the successful reconstruction of transmission towers and restringing of vandalized conductors.
The restoration was confirmed by TCN’s General Manager for Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, who described the effort as a critical milestone after prolonged disruptions caused by acts of vandalism earlier this year.
In August, the TCN revealed that two transmission towers, T98 and T99, in Bayelsa’s Igbooghene community, were destroyed by vandals, cutting off power supply to the Yenagoa Substation and the Gbarain Power Station.
Subsequent investigations identified multiple instances of vandalism, with a total of 20 towers needing replacement.
According to Ms. Mbah, a final inspection of the newly erected towers—spanning Nos. 48–64 and 97–99—was conducted on November 28 by a TCN engineering team led by Port Harcourt Region General Manager Emmanuel Akpa. The inspection confirmed the integrity of the reconstructed infrastructure, clearing the line for energization.
Meanwhile to prevent a recurrence, the TCN is initiating a community engagement programme targeting communities along the transmission line in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
The initiative will include educational campaigns on the dangers of vandalism and the appointment of local representatives to oversee infrastructure security.
“This approach aims to instill a sense of local ownership and accountability for the infrastructure,” said Ms. Mbah. She emphasized that the vandalism incidents had not only left Bayelsa in darkness but also inflicted significant economic losses on residents and financial strain on TCN’s restoration efforts.
The TCN had however called for collective action to safeguard the nation’s electricity assets, stressing that protecting infrastructure is essential for sustainable development.
Residents and stakeholders are urged to support efforts to combat the vandalism of power infrastructure, ensuring the stability and reliability of Nigeria’s power supply in the future.
Recall that the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, on Sunday assured residents that power will be restored across parts of the state within the next 48 hours.
The announcement came during a press briefing in Yenagoa, where he was joined by the Commissioner for Power, Mr. Kharin Komuko, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, and the Regional Manager of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), Mr. Lawrence Emeyi.
Bayelsa State has suffered power outage for over four months, disrupting businesses and leaving homes in disarray.
The widespread blackout, which also affects parts of Ahoada in neighboring Rivers State, stems from the vandalism of critical power infrastructure.
The destruction of two 132KV transmission towers along the Owerri-Ahoada-Yenagoa power line on July 27, 2024, has been identified as the initial cause.
Engr. Kemenanabo provided an update on the ongoing efforts to address technical challenges affecting power transmission. He revealed that the fault on the transmission line between Ahoada and Yenagoa is currently being addressed by officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
"As of this morning, TCN officials are patrolling the line to resolve the issue. Once completed, the Yenagoa transmission tier will be energized," he stated.
He further explained that while Yenagoa has seven feeders connected to its transmission station, some of these feeders have operational issues, which might delay full restoration.
"Not all feeders may come up simultaneously. However, based on current progress, parts of Yenagoa are expected to reconnect to the grid within 48 hours," he added.
In her remarks, Mrs. Koku-Obiyai, Commissioner for Information, appealed to residents for patience and understanding.
She acknowledged the significant challenge posed by over 250 vandalized transformers in Yenagoa and assured citizens that the government is working closely with stakeholders to address the issue.
The PHEDC Regional Manager, Mr. Emeyi, commended the Bayelsa State Government for its proactive measures in facilitating the restoration process. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts in maintaining infrastructure to prevent future disruptions.
The Bayelsa State Government’s intervention comes as a relief to residents, who have endured prolonged power outages.
Authorities have called on communities to remain vigilant against acts of vandalism and to support the government in ensuring a sustainable power supply.
