The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Enugu Region, has intensified efforts to safeguard critical power infrastructure through a community awareness campaign held in Umuhuali, Ezillo, and Nkalagu communities of Ebonyi State.
Addressing residents during the sensitisation exercise, the General Manager (Transmission), Enugu Region, Dr. Thomas Inugonum, explained that the initiative was designed to strengthen collaboration between TCN and host communities while promoting the protection of transmission facilities.
He highlighted several issues of concern, urging community members to take active steps in preventing vandalism of the 330kV and 132kV transmission lines and discouraging the construction of buildings within TCN’s Right of Way (RoW).
Dr. Inugonum also warned against activities such as digging around transmission tower foundations, engaging in farming, trading, or residential activities beneath high-voltage power lines, and burning refuse under transmission corridors, noting that such practices pose serious safety risks and threaten the stability of electricity supply.
According to him, similar awareness campaigns previously carried out in Makurdi, Benue State, as well as Agbogugu and Ihe communities in Enugu State, produced encouraging results. He expressed optimism that residents of the affected Ebonyi communities would equally support efforts to protect national power assets.
The TCN official further recalled a fatal incident in Ezillo where a suspected vandal lost his life after being electrocuted while attempting to tamper with Tower 34 on the Nkalagu–Abakaliki 132kV transmission line.
Speaking on behalf of the host communities, the President General of the Ezza Umuhuali Town Union, Solomon Nweke, commended local vigilante groups and community leaders for their vigilance, which he said contributed to the recent apprehension of individuals suspected of vandalising power infrastructure.
He reaffirmed the communities’ commitment to partnering with TCN in safeguarding transmission facilities and ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply.