The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Port Harcourt Region, has announced the restoration of electricity to most parts of Bayelsa following a four-month blackout. The region covers Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, and Rivers states.
The General Manager of TCN’s Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel Anyaegbulem, made this known during a news conference on Monday in Port Harcourt, while outlining the company’s achievements in 2024. He explained that the blackout was caused by criminals who vandalised about 20 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132 Kilovolt (KV) electricity lines on July 29.
“The 132KV line is the only transmission line that supply electricity to Bayelsa state. The repairs of the collapsed towers presented a significant challenge for us, considering that the blackout lasted from July 29 until November 30, when we restored the lines,” Anyaegbulem said.
He further noted that it cost about N13 million to construct a single transmission tower.
“Once vandals cut off the brackets that holds a tower, the structure becomes vulnerable to the slightest breeze. After the criminals vandalised the tower, it collapsed and caused the failure of about 20 other transmission towers between Ahoada in Rivers state and Yenagoa in Bayelsa state.
“We are delighted to have erected and restrung the 20 damaged 132KV towers after four months of hardship endured by the residents,” he added.
Anyaegbulam also disclosed that police officers attached to TCN had arrested about 10 suspects caught vandalising the company’s facilities in the region in 2024. He said that out of the 10 suspects arrested, four had already been convicted by the courts, while six remained in police custody.
In spite of these challenges, the general manager stated that the company achieved significant milestones during the outgoing year.
“This includes the installation of a 100 Megavolt-Amperes (MVA) power transmission transformer at the Port Harcourt main transmission substation, as well as the rehabilitation of the 132/33KV switch yard. We also took delivery of a 150MVA 330/33KV power transformer at TCN’s Adjabo transmission substation within the Port Harcourt main transmission substation.
“Other achievements include the upgrade of the Itu 132/33KV transmission substation with the addition of a 60MVA transformer, three outgoing feeders, digital control panels, circuit breakers, isolators among others, he said.
Anyaegbulem reiterated the company’s commitment to providing electricity to Distribution Companies (DisCos) to enable them to ensure uninterrupted power supply to customers.
Bayelsa intensify effort at establishing 60,000MW turbine
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State government has said it is intensifying efforts to establish independent power plants to ensure stable power supply in the state.
Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the state acting governor. stated this on Monday in a meeting with the leadership of Imiringi Community and some stakeholders of Ogbia Local Government, including the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, King Charles Owaba in Yenagoa.
He said government was partnering some Chinese investors to site a power plant by the existing gas turbine belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) at Elebele.
Ewhrudjakpo said that efforts were also underway to refurbish the state-owned Imiringi gas turbine in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa.
He said: “when the turbine comes on stream, it is expected to supply electricity to Ogbia and Yenagoa local government areas.
“While the second plant would serve Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama and Ekeremor LGAs, to do away with the current total dependence on the national grid.
“Subsequently, government will provide a third power plant to generate and distribute electricity to Nembe, Brass and Southern Ijaw councils in line with the Douye Diri-led administration’s A.S.S.U.R.E.D Agenda in the power sector.
“We are working hard to see how we can get independent power. We are working with some investors to get another power plant by the Elebele Gas Turbine that belongs to the Local Content which will generate about 60,000 Mega Watts.
“And the plant at Imiringi, when refurbished will supply electricity to Ogbia and Yenagoa local government areas to resolve the problem of epileptic power from the national grid.”
He offered an unreserved apology to the people of Imiringi over the power ministry’s attempt to move out the turbine transformers for refurbishment without properly notifying the community.
This, he attributed to communication gap between the Elebele community and government, stating that government’s intention was to take out the transformers to refurbish them and bring them back to improve power supply in the state.
“Government’s intention was to take the transformers out for refurbishment and see how we can start the gas turbine but our intention was misunderstood.
“We take full responsibility for the communication gap, because of the exigencies of government, we could not adequately inform the community of government’s intention to take out the facility for refurbishment.
“On behalf of the government, we apologize for the mix up which almost cost a near fracas.”
Speaking on behalf government officials from Ogbia, the Chief Whip of the Bayelsa House of Assembly and member representing Ogbia Constituency 2, Hon. Gabriel Ogbara, thanked the Acting governor for his prompt intervention in he matter.
In his remarks, spokesman of the Imiringi Community and retired Director in the Ministry of Environment, Chief Naru Okpu, expressed gratitude to the acting governor for convening the meeting.
He described the Kolo Creek gas turbines as one of the legacies of the late Chief Melford Okilo and expressed confidence in the present administration’s commitment towards restoring electricity to the area.