The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has pledged to complete the reconstruction of its devastated transmission towers along the Mbiama-Ahoada axis of Rivers State within six weeks, aiming to restore power supply to Bayelsa. This assurance came during a high-profile visit on Wednesday, led by Engineer Olugbenga Ajiboye, Director General of TCN’s subsidiary, the Transmission Service Provider (TSP), to the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at Government House, Yenagoa.
The Director General expressed deep regret over the extended blackout plaguing Bayelsa, attributing the outage to the vandalism of approximately 18 transmission towers crucial for power delivery to the region. “We sincerely apologize to the people and government of Bayelsa for the prolonged outage and its economic repercussions,” Ajiboye stated. He called for collaboration from the state government, emphasizing the urgency of restoring power to alleviate the suffering of residents.
The situation has been dire. This year alone, TCN has reported the vandalization of over 120 transmission facilities nationwide, a troubling trend that Engineer Ajiboye warned could jeopardize future power stability. He urged the state government to bolster security around TCN assets to prevent further incidents.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo did not mince words in his response, highlighting the ongoing power crisis as a critical issue affecting the state. He lamented that even prior to the recent destruction, Bayelsa had consistently struggled with reliable power supply, with only about 30 percent of the state currently connected to the National Grid. “We want TCN to expedite the reconstruction process. The longer this outage lasts, the more both TCN and our state lose—politically and economically,” he asserted.
Ewhrudjakpo emphasized the need for a stronger partnership between the Bayelsa State Government and TCN, advocating for an expansion of the transmission network to reach more communities. His call for collaboration underlined the growing frustration among citizens demanding action from their leaders.
The Deputy Governor committed to facilitating security measures alongside the Rivers State government to protect the transmission lines, acknowledging the urgency of the situation. “We must address the rampant sabotage along the transmission line between Ahoada and Mbiama,” he urged, calling for immediate and effective collaboration to ensure the safety of these critical infrastructures.
This power crisis has ignited a passionate plea from the people of Bayelsa for sustainable solutions. As TCN gears up for reconstruction, the spotlight remains on the company’s ability to deliver on its promise and the government’s commitment to securing vital power infrastructure. The coming weeks will be crucial as stakeholders rally to restore hope and energy to Bayelsa, a state long overdue for stable and reliable power supply. Will TCN fulfill its promise, or will the shadows of sabotage continue to loom over Bayelsa's energy future? Only time will tell.
