17/08/2024
BAYELSA, RIVERS GOVT COLLABORATE TO COMBAT POWER SECTOR VANDALS.. TCN Promises Quick Restoration of Power to Bayelsa
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Power, Engr. Kharin Akari Komuko has met with his counterpart, the Rivers State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Prince Solomon Abel Eke to brainstorm on a lasting solution to the incessant vandalisation of power sector infrastructure within the two sister States.
Receiving the Bayelsa State Commissioner at his office in Port Harcourt over the weekend, the Rivers State Commissioner for Power condemned the wicked act of vandals, describing it as one of the worst forms of economic sabotage which inflicts untold hardship on households and business owners. The two Commissioners promised to liase with relevant host communities within Rivers and Bayelsa States to put an end to recurrent power blackout caused by the ugly trend.
Reacting on the issue, The Deputy Governor of the State, Sen. Lawrence Ewrhudjakpo reiterated that Governor Diri is deeply concerned over the power situation hence, the Prosperity Government is seriously engaging relevant Federal Government agencies, neighboring States, critical stakeholders and host communities in addition to taking proactive security measures to prevent a recurrence and bring anyone involved in vandalising government's critical assets, to book.
Recall that thirteen additional TCN towers along the Ahoada/Mbiama route of the East-West road were affected out of which nine towers have collapsed while four are tilted and may give way if nothing is urgently done.
To forestall further deterioration, The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Power, Engr. Kharin also visited the General Manager (Transmission), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Port Harcourt Region to accelerate the pace of work at the damaged transmission lines. Engr Kharin called on TCN to establish an operational work centre in Yenagoa to reduce the downtime associated with reported cases of faulty equipment and also extend the technical operations of TCN to the door-step of the Gbarain 132/33KV substation while enhancing security of TCN infrastructure within the Bayelsa route.
Responding, the General Manager (Transmission) TCN, Port Harcourt region, Engr. Emmanuel Akpa assured the Government and people of Bayelsa State that power will be restored immediately TCN completes the replacement of its vandalized towers. He noted that due to the extent of damage, more contractors have been mobilised to various sites to ensure speedy restoration of power to Bayelsa State.
