By Abiola Olawale
Some parts of Rivers and Bayelsa States have been plunged into a total blackout as some suspected hoodlums destroyed thirteen towers owned by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The General Manager of the Public Affairs at TCN, Ndidi Mbah made this revelation in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Mbah confirmed that some of the 13 TCN towers destroyed were located along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuits.
She also added that some of the towers destroyed were located in several communities, including Okobe in Ahoada East, Emezhi 1 in Ahoada West, and Mbiama in Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State, as well as the Igbogene community in Bayelsa State.
Mbah called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State to immediately look into the development and assist the TCN in fighting against vandalism.
The statement reads in part: “Additionally, a new contract was recently awarded for the reinforcement of towers 19-31 on the Ahoada-Yenagoa line, where tower members had been vandalized and stolen.
“Despite these ongoing efforts, the recent vandalism of the thirteen towers presents a significant challenge to TCN.
“Given the extent of the destruction to the towers and the ongoing work on previously vandalized transmission towers, it may take several months for TCN to complete the rebuilding and stringing of the towers to restore power supply to the state.”