The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has blamed incessant national grid collapses on the rising wave of vandalism and illegal structures built under power lines across the country.
General Manager of TCN, Benin Region, Charles Iwuamadi, raised the alarm on Tuesday during a sensitisation programme at Umelu community in Benin, Edo State.
Iwuamadi explained that vandalism of transmission towers and lines had grown by more than 30 per cent in the last five years, describing it as the leading cause of frequent grid failures.
“Vandalism is directly proportional to the number of system collapses. Most times when the national grid goes down, vandalism is the cause. If not for how we manage the system, the number of collapses would have doubled,” he said.
The TCN chief warned that when a single line is vandalised, the disruption destabilises the entire interconnected network, leading to nationwide blackouts.
Beyond vandalism, he also cautioned against the illegal erection of buildings under high-tension lines, noting that residents were endangering their lives.
“Residing under transmission towers exposes people to radiation, health risks, and the danger of instant death if a line snaps and falls. Human beings and structures cannot withstand the impact of a 330kV line. It is not only illegal but deadly,” he warned.
Iwuamadi, however, stressed that demolition of illegal structures would remain a last resort, as the company preferred enlightenment over arrests.
He commended Umelu residents for being one of the most peaceful host communities along the 131km Benin–Onitsha line, urging them to sustain their cooperation.
Also speaking, Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, Suleiman Mohammed, charged communities to protect government facilities in their areas.
“Any government facility in your community should be protected. When you vandalise it, you deprive yourselves because funds that should have gone into new projects will be diverted into repairs,” Mohammed said.
Residents, however, appealed to TCN to assist with facility upgrades and ensure regular clearing of weeds along transmission corridors. They also called for tighter surveillance of power infrastructure.
The sensitisation exercise was part of a nationwide campaign by TCN to curb vandalism, safeguard the national grid, and improve electricity supply across the country.
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