The Benin Regional office of the Transmission Company of Nigeria has called on the Edo State Government and host communities to strengthen efforts towards protecting electricity transmission infrastructure from vandalism and encroachment.

The appeal was made by the General Manager of TCN’s Benin Region, Charles Iwuamadi, during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Edo State Ministry of Power in Benin City to address persistent electricity supply challenges in the state.

Iwuamadi lamented that transmission facilities across the region have come under repeated attacks by vandals, resulting in heavy financial losses and prolonged repair periods that disrupt power supply.

He urged the state government to assist in clearing illegal structures and activities along transmission line right-of-way corridors, stressing that compensation had already been paid to affected communities before the installation of transmission towers.

According to him, although security agencies including the Department of State Serviqces and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have arrested suspected vandals in some cases, stronger collaboration from communities and authorities remains necessary.

Also speaking, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, explained that the company is responsible for transmitting bulk electricity from generation companies to distribution companies across the country.

She noted that despite Nigeria’s generation capacity remaining between 4,500 and 5,000 megawatts for many years, the transmission network in Edo State and other parts of the country has continued to expand.

Mbah highlighted some ongoing and completed projects in the region, including the Ihovbor-Ajaokuta Transmission Line 1, which now transmits electricity from Benin to Ajaokuta and Abuja, as well as the upgrade of the Irrua Transmission Substation.

She added that TCN operates an N-1 contingency system designed to ensure quick restoration of power whenever faults occur on transmission lines.

The TCN officials, however, warned that vandalism continues to undermine investments in the sector and appealed to residents to safeguard public electricity infrastructure.

Assistant General Manager, System Operations, Benin Region, Engr. Patrick Amos, clarified that TCN’s responsibility ends at the delivery of electricity to distribution company load centres, noting that the company does not handle direct distribution to end users.

Representatives of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Azura Power, GTL Power Limited, the Nigerian Independent System Operator, meter asset providers, civil society organisations and community groups attended the meeting.