BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has disclosed that the collapse of tower number T290, one of the four new towers erected by TCN contractors along the Jos–Gombe 330kV transmission line hindered the goal of meeting the May 27th power restoration timeline promised to the North-East region.
TCN disclosed this on Monday in a statement by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, explaining that the incident occurred Monday morning at about 7a.m during the cable stringing on the last tower by the contractor which was supposed to enable the final joining of the power cable in time for energizing of the line today.
“Despite the security challenges in the area, TCN contractors and some of our engineering staff worked tirelessly to fast-track the project, doing all that was humanly possible to meet the timeline. Daily, the contractor and TCN engineers, accompanied by security operatives consistently left the site by 10p.m in the night and resumed work at 6a.m every day.
“Constructing towers and stringing power cables at such heights is highly technical, although TCN contractors and staff have successfully completed similar projects in other parts of the country. The collapse of the fourth tower is a significant setback, given the extensive efforts to ensure that today’s power restoration timeline was met,” its stated.
TCN further emphasized that its contractor is currently dismantling the collapsed tower members, to enable its reconstruction and final restringing of the cable.
Giving a detailed account of other tower collapsed incidents by vandals, TCN expressed dissatisfaction over three (3) towers along the Biu–Danbua 132kV transmission line were also vandalized with 16 spans of conductors stolen, despite its commitment to reconstructing and restringing the four (4) vandalized towers.
TCN patrol team, last Friday, discovered the three (3) collapsed towers along the Biu–Danbua 132kV transmission line, namely, towers T1690, T1691 and T1692.
According to the statement, TCN has mobilized a contractor to commence their reconstruction.
The Company also reported another development which happened on morning of May 27th , on tower T540 along the Makurdi–Jos 330kV double circuit transmission line, discovered by TCN lines patrol team.
“Sections of the tower have been removed, although the tower remains standing. TCN has contracted emergency repairs, to prevent its collapse,” TCN clarified.
TCN, however reiterated its commitment to restoring normal bulk power supply through the distribution companies serving the North-East and other areas affected by vandalism.
“There is, however an urgent need for everyone to join hands with TCN in protecting our collective assets by being vigilant and reporting any suspected acts of tower and line vandalism promptly,” the Company appealed.
