TCN Restores Electricity to Bayelsa After Four-Month Blackout

Babatunji Wusu –

• TCN has successfully restored electricity to Bayelsa after a four-month blackout caused by vandalism.
• The blackout, triggered by the destruction of 20 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132KV line, affected several states.
• The restoration efforts were challenging, with significant costs and technical hurdles involved.
• TCN achieved several milestones in 2024, including the installation of new transformers and the rehabilitation of key substations.
• Police have arrested and convicted suspects involved in the vandalism.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully restored electricity to most parts of Bayelsa, ending a four-month blackout that affected the region. The Port Harcourt Region, which includes Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Imo, Rivers, and Abia states, faced a significant power disruption after criminals vandalized around 20 transmission towers on July 29, 2024.

Emmanuel Anyaegbulem, General Manager of TCN’s Port Harcourt Region, confirmed the restoration during a recent press conference. He explained that the damaged Ahoada-Yenagoa 132KV line was the sole power source for Bayelsa. The repairs to the collapsed towers posed considerable challenges, delaying the restoration until November 30.

The restoration process was costly, with each tower construction estimated at N13 million. The damage, caused by the dismantling of tower supports, led to the collapse of multiple towers, severely impacting power supply to Bayelsa. TCN, however, successfully reconstructed and restrung the damaged infrastructure, ending a prolonged period of hardship for local residents.

Anyaegbulem also revealed that TCN had apprehended 10 suspects involved in the vandalism, with four already convicted by the courts and six still in police custody. Despite these challenges, TCN made notable progress in 2024, including the installation of new power transformers and the rehabilitation of transmission substations.

The company remains committed to supporting distribution companies to ensure a stable and uninterrupted power supply to customers across the region.